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Panel engineers

All reservoirs under the Reservoirs Act 1975 must be inspected and supervised by a panel engineer.

Panel engineers are a group of specialist civil engineers appointed by the Secretary of State. All reservoirs operating under the Reservoirs Act 1975 must be inspected and supervised by a panel engineer. It is the responsibility of the undertaker to appoint a panel engineer.

Types of panel engineers

Inspecting engineers

An inspecting engineer is appointed to inspect a reservoir every 10 years. As a result of that inspection, a safe operating regime will be specified and works required ‘in the interests of safety’ may be recommended.

To find an inspecting engineer for your reservoir, go to the ‘All reservoir’ panel list, or, if your reservoir is non-impounding, go to the ‘non-impounding’ panel list below.

Supervising engineers

A supervising engineer is required to supervise the operation and maintenance of the reservoir and produce an annual statement. A supervising engineer must be available at all times (unless the reservoir is under construction). They can also recommend that an inspecting engineer carry out an inspection.

To find a supervising engineer for your reservoir, go to any of the four lists below.

Construction engineers

A construction engineer is appointed to supervise the design and construction of a new reservoir or modification of a reservoir such that the capacity is increased.

To find a construction engineer to oversee works at your reservoir go to the ‘All reservoir’ panel list, or if your reservoir doesn’t impound a watercourse, go to the ‘non-impounding’ panel list below.