Water

Dams and Development E-Paper Contents

p. -1 of 74 BACK | NEXT Home Page of Dams and Development Foreword I. Why an e-paper on dams and development? II. Assessing options III. Participatory processes IV. Social impacts V. Environmental impacts VI. Benefit distribution VII. Dam safety and sustainability VIII. Existing projects IX. Improving governance X. What other organizations say XI. ADB, Dams, and Development XII. References Contact Us

UK 'Reservoir safety - The Environment Agency's new enforcement role'

The following announcement about changes to the responsibility for coordinating reservoir safety in UK is taken from the Environment Agency website

On 1st October 2004 the Environment Agency will take responsibility for reservoir safety across England and Wales. The role of Enforcement Authority under the Reservoirs Act 1975 is being transferred from Local Authorities as a result of the Water Act 2003.

Reservoirs are essential features of our landscape and operating and managing them safely to limit flood risk is of paramount importance. Safety legislation for reservoirs in the UK was first introduced in 1930 following several disasters that resulted in loss of life and is today provided by the Reservoirs Act 1975.

Currently the enforcement of the Act in England and Wales is the responsibility of 140 Local Authorities. The role has attracted a varying response often co-ordinated by different departments, which has led to inconsistent application. This inconsistency has driven the need for regulation to be provided by a single body which was recognised by an industry review of the Reservoirs Act 1975.

The Water Act 2003 also requires Flood Plans to be produced for specified reservoirs. This requirement is due to commence later in April 2005 and will be preceded by a comprehensive consultation led by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG).

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