Water Resources Act 1991 SI 57

The Water Resources Act established the National Rivers Authority (now replaced by the Environment Agency), and regulates water pollution.

The Act applies in England and Wales only.

What is the Water Resources Act?

The Water Resources Act defines the Environment Agency’s role in water pollution, water resource management, flood defence, fisheries and navigation. It covers discharges to surface and ground waters, estuaries and coastal waters, and controls abstracting and impounding water.

Industrial operators have to pay the cost of repairing damage caused by.their polluting discharges, largely by reimbursing the Environment Agency for the anti-pollution works it has carried out.

Who does the Water Resources Act affect?

The Act affects all businesses in England and Wales that discharge substances to controlled waters.

What do you have to do?

You must not cause or knowingly permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting material or solid waste to enter controlled water unless you have consent from the Environment Agency.

You can contact the Environment Agency for advice on controlling your discharges to controlled waters by pipes or surface water drains or discharges to land.

See our guidance on:

How is the Water Resources Act enforced?

The Environment Agency enforces the Water Resources Act. You can be fined or imprisoned if you do not take adequate care to prevent unauthorised discharges to controlled waters.

Further information

  • Water Resources Act 1991 SI 57

    Sets up the regime, now controlled by the Environment Agency, to conserve, manage and control pollution of water resources, abstraction and impoundment, and offences for contravening and organising flood defences.