Category 2 Responders - Generic Emergency Planning Arrangements
Water and sewerage undertakers
Water and sewerage service providers in England and Wales
Water and sewerage services covers the primary function of providing
drinking water and of treating sewage. As of March 2006 there are 25
companies (or 'undertakers') in the privatised water industry in
England and Wales. Of these 10 provide both water and sewerage services,
while the remainder provide water services only. For more details please
visit our
summary of information available on water companies websites
Legislation
These companies operate under the provisions of the Water
Industry Act 1991 [External website] and the Water Act
2003 [External website] in both England and Wales.
These set out the regulatory framework within which the privatised water
service companies (formerly water authorities) and water only companies
(formerly statutory water companies) operate in England and Wales. In
particular, this legislation identifies the statutory responsibilities and
regulatory framework that applies to undertakers. The Department for the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for English
water (and sewerage) companies. Policy responsibilities for water companies
whose areas are wholly or mainly in Wales rest with the Welsh Assembly
Government.
The Secretary of State and the Welsh Assembly Government have powers to
issue Directions to undertakers in the interests of national security
and/or mitigating the effects of a civil emergency. The current Direction on
national security and emergency measures for the water and sewerage
industry [PDF 313KB, 4 pages] was issued in 1998.
There are provisions in the Water Act 2003 for the Secretary of State to
issue Directions to the new licensees, resulting from the Government's
introduction of competition for the water industry, in respect of national
security and emergency planning. Directions are expected to be issued to
licensees during 2006. Drinking water standards are set by the Drinking
Water Inspectorate (DWI) - all standards comply with EU and World Health
Organisation (WHO) targets.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
In Scotland, the policy responsibility for Scottish Water (a public
corporation, the sole water and sewerage undertaker in Scotland) rests with
the Scottish Executive under Scottish legislation. These organisations work
closely together with DEFRA and the rest of the water industry in England
and Wales to ensure that all plans will operate together if required. There
is a similar Direction in place to that for England and Wales. In Northern
Ireland the Water Service Agency reports to the Department for Regional
Development.
Contingency Plans
The methodology for identifying and responding to vulnerabilities in the
water services industry complies with international best practice. Water
(and sewerage) company plans are reviewed on at least an annual basis and,
where necessary, have been updated to take account of current threats and
risks.
Water service contingency plans are regularly tested to ensure their
continuing effectiveness, often with central government participation.
Defra's own plans for responding to water and sewerage emergencies
underwent review during 2004, followed in December 2005 by an exercise to
test the revised plans.
Private water suppliers
Under 1% of the population of England and Wales obtain their water from an
entirely private supply either on an individual or multiple property basis.
The testing of such supplies is the responsibility of Local Authorities.
These supplies are not subject to the Directions issued by the Secretary of
State in respect of national security or emergency planning, and any
emergency arrangements are entirely dependent upon what an individual local
authority might have in place.
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