17.—(1) Once the Department has established the cause of the water not being wholesome, it shall act in accordance with this regulation.
(2) If the cause of the water not being wholesome is attributable to the domestic distribution system within a private dwelling, the Department shall offer advice to the responsible person or persons on measures necessary for the protection of health.
(3) If paragraph (2) does not apply and if it cannot solve the problem informally the Department—
(a)may, on application by any responsible person, grant an authorisation to that person if the conditions in regulation 18(2) are fulfilled; and
(b)if it does not grant an authorisation shall serve a notice either in accordance with article 119 of the 2006 Order or under regulation 19 if the conditions in that regulation are fulfilled.
(4) Before serving a notice the Department shall have regard to any agreement, contract, licence or other document produced to the Department relating to the terms on which water is supplied.