Water (Scotland) Act 1980 (Chapter 45).
Type of law
Legislation
Date of original text
Abstract
This Act makes provision with respect to water supply and water resources development, management and protection in Scotland, defines powers and duties of water authorities and provides with respect to other matters of administration of water supply and water management and conservation.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to: promote the conservation of the water resources of Scotland and the provision by water authorities and water development boards of adequate water supplies throughout Scotland; and to appoint an advisory committee to advise him or her on these matters. Water authorities shall be in general the regional or islands council for a specific area. The Secretary of State may at any time by order alter the limits of supply of a water authority.
A water authority or water development board may acquire by agreement rights to take water from any stream, but such agreement shall be approved by the Secretary of State. Water authorities shall have the right to acquire land in accordance with this Act. Water authority or water development boards may also enter into drainage agreements with the owners and occupiers of any land or with a regional, islands or district council.
The Act also makes provision with respect to, among other things: further regulation to prevent misuse or pollution of water; supplying water by temporary means during a drought; information to be provided to the Natural Environmental Research council on groundwater abstraction activities; continuation of performance of functions assigned to the Central Scotland Water Development Board by the Water (Scotland) Act 1967; establishment of new water development boards by the Secretary of State; the duty of water authorities and development boards to collaborate; preparation of apportionment schemes by boards; and other powers and duties of water development boards.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to: promote the conservation of the water resources of Scotland and the provision by water authorities and water development boards of adequate water supplies throughout Scotland; and to appoint an advisory committee to advise him or her on these matters. Water authorities shall be in general the regional or islands council for a specific area. The Secretary of State may at any time by order alter the limits of supply of a water authority.
A water authority or water development board may acquire by agreement rights to take water from any stream, but such agreement shall be approved by the Secretary of State. Water authorities shall have the right to acquire land in accordance with this Act. Water authority or water development boards may also enter into drainage agreements with the owners and occupiers of any land or with a regional, islands or district council.
The Act also makes provision with respect to, among other things: further regulation to prevent misuse or pollution of water; supplying water by temporary means during a drought; information to be provided to the Natural Environmental Research council on groundwater abstraction activities; continuation of performance of functions assigned to the Central Scotland Water Development Board by the Water (Scotland) Act 1967; establishment of new water development boards by the Secretary of State; the duty of water authorities and development boards to collaborate; preparation of apportionment schemes by boards; and other powers and duties of water development boards.
Attached files
Web site
Long title of text
An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to water in Scotland.
Date of consolidation/reprint
Notes
This Act repeals the Water (Scotland) Act 1946 and other enactment listed in Schedule 11. It also makes consequential amendments to other legislation. Last modification has been made by The Water Intended for Human Consumption (Private Supplies) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (S.S.I. 2017/282). Water (Scotland) Act 1980 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 21 April 2020.
Repealed
No
Source language
English
Legislation status
in force
Legislation Amendment
No