The Water Industry Act 1991 is the primary UK legislation setting out the duties and powers of water and sewerage undertakers in England and Wales, including Thames Water in Greater London. The Act consolidates earlier legislation and provides the legal framework for adoption of sewers, declaration of vesting, charging for water and sewerage services, build-over agreements and trade effluent consents. It applies across all property tenures and types, with most homeowner-relevant provisions activated when works affect public sewers or lateral drains. Enforcement is shared between Ofwat, the water companies and Local Authority Building Control depending on the matter. Practical implications for homeowners include the right to free attendance for blockages on the public side and the duty to obtain agreement before building over a public sewer. The formal reference is the Water Industry Act 1991 (c.56) as amended.
Water Industry Act 1991
Primary UK legislation governing the duties and powers of water and sewerage undertakers.
