Section 25A: Enforcement notices, Water Resources Act 1991

Subject to the following provisions of this section, where it appears to the appropriate agency that a person is—

in breach of section 24(1) or (2) or section 25(1) above; or

for the purposes of section 24 or 25 above a holder of a licence under this Chapter and has not complied with a condition or requirement imposed by the provisions, as for the time being in force, of that licence,

the appropriate agency shall be entitled to serve an enforcement notice on him if the condition in subsection (2) below is satisfied.

The condition is that it appears to the appropriate agency that the breach or failure to comply is causing or is likely to cause significant damage to the environment.

An enforcement notice is a notice requiring the person on whom it is served—

to cease his breach of section 24(1) or (2) or section 25(1) above, or to comply with the condition or requirement in question; and

to carry out any works or operations specified in the notice.

The works or operations which may be specified are works or operations which it appears to the appropriate agency are appropriate for the purpose of remedying or mitigating the effects of the breach or failure to comply, and may include—

works or operations for the purpose, so far as it is reasonably practicable to do so, of restoring any affected waters, including any flora and fauna dependent on them, to their state immediately before the breach or failure to comply; and

in the case of a breach of section 25(1) above, the removal of any unauthorised impounding works or the reversal of any unauthorised alteration to impounding works.

An enforcement notice must specify the periods within which the person on whom it is served must do each of the things specified in the notice.

Before serving an enforcement notice on any person, the appropriate agency shall take reasonable steps to consult that person about the works or operations which are to be specified in the notice.

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for or in connection with—

the form or content of enforcement notices;

requirements for consultation, before the service of an enforcement notice, with persons other than the person upon whom the notice is to be served;

steps to be taken for the purposes of any consultation required under subsection (6) above or regulations made by virtue of paragraph (b) above;

any other steps of a procedural nature which are to be taken in connection with, or in consequence of, the service of an enforcement notice.

An enforcement notice is not invalid, or invalidly served, merely because of a failure to comply with subsection (6) above or with regulations made by virtue of subsection (7)(b) above.

The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit in relation to any person, give directions to the appropriate agency as to whether or how it should exercise its powers under this section.

In proceedings for any offence under section 24 or 25 above against a person upon whom an enforcement notice has been served, the following are not to be taken as evidence that he has committed the offence—

the fact that an enforcement notice has been served on him;

the fact that he does not appeal against it;

the fact that on an appeal against it the notice is confirmed (whether with or without modifications).

Section 25A: Enforcement notices

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