A fire and rescue authority must take all reasonable measures for securing that an adequate supply of water will be available for the authority's use in the event of fire.
A fire and rescue authority may use any suitable supply of water for the purposes of extinguishing a fire or protecting life or property in the event of a fire (but must pay reasonable compensation for the water).
Subsection (2) is subject to—
an agreement under section 39 or 41;
section 147 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56) (charging for emergency use of water).