Section 37A: Water resources management plans: preparation and review, Water Industry Act 1991

It shall be the duty of each water undertaker to prepare , publish and maintain a water resources management plan.

A water resources management plan is a plan for how the water undertaker will manage and develop water resources so as to be able, and continue to be able, to meet its obligations under this Part.

A water resources management plan shall address in particular—

the water undertaker's estimate of the quantities of water required to meet those obligations;

the measures which the water undertaker intends to take or continue for the purpose set out in subsection (2) above (also taking into account for that purpose the introduction of water into the undertaker's supply system by or on behalf of water supply licensees);

the likely sequence and timing for implementing those measures; and

such other matters as the Secretary of State may specify in directions

(and see also section 37AA).

The procedure for preparing and publishing a water resources management plan (including a revised plan) is set out in section 37B below.

Before each anniversary of the date when its plan (or revised plan) was last published, the water undertaker shall —

review its plan; and

send a statement of the conclusions of its review to the Secretary of State.

The water undertaker shall prepare and publish a revised plan in each of the following cases—

following conclusion of its annual review, if the review indicated a material change of circumstances;

if directed to do so by the Secretary of State;

in any event, not later than the end of the period of five years beginning with the date when the plan (or revised plan) was last published,

and shall follow the procedure in section 37B below (whether or not the revised plan prepared by the undertaker includes any proposed alterations to the previous plan).

The Secretary of State may give directions specifying—

the form which a water resources management plan must take;

the planning period to which a water resources management plan must relate.

Before preparing its water resources management plan (including a revised plan), the water undertaker shall consult—

the Environment Agency, if the plan (or revised plan) would affect water resources in England;

the NRBW, if the plan (or revised plan) would affect water resources in Wales;

the Authority;

the Secretary of State; and

any water supply licensee which supplies water to premises in the undertaker's area via the undertaker's supply system.

Before giving a direction under subsection (6)(b), the Secretary of State shall consult—

the Environment Agency, if the revised plan would affect water resources in England, and

the NRBW, if the revised plan would affect water resources in Wales.

Before giving a direction under subsection (6)(b), the Welsh Ministers shall consult—

the NRBW, if the revised plan would affect water resources in Wales, and

the Environment Agency, if the revised plan would affect water resources in England.

In this section, in relation to a water resources management plan, "published" means published in accordance with section 37B(8)(a) below.

Section 37A: Water resources management plans: preparation and review

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