An Act to provide for establishing river purification boards in Scotland and for conferring on or transferring to such boards functions relating to the prevention of river pollution; to make new provision for maintaining or restoring the cleanliness of the rivers and other inland waters and the tidal waters of Scotland in place of the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act 1876, and certain other enactments; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid.
[1st August 1951]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1References to councils of counties or of large burghs and to their districts to be read as references to regional, islands or district councils and to their areas: Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65), s. 135(8)
C2By Water (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 45, SIF 130), s. 112, Sch. 10 Pt. I any reference to a local water authority shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as a reference to a water authority
Commencement Information
I1Act partly in force at Royal Assent by s. 36(4)(now repealed).
(1)It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to promote the cleanliness of the rivers and other inland waters and the tidal waters of Scotland.
(2)–(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1(2)–(4) repealed by Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1981 (c. 23, SIF 81:2), s. 41, Sch. 4
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3S. 1(1) extended by Spray Irrigation (Scotland) Act 1964 (c. 90), s. 1(2)
C4S. 1(1) extended (1.4.1992) by Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 (c. 28, SIF 130), s. 15(3); S.I. 1991/2633, art. 4
Textual Amendments
F2Pt. II (ss. 2 -16) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22, para. 3(2), Sch. 24 (with ss.7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C5Pt. III (ss. 17-28): transfer of functions (12.10.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 21(1)(a)(i)(ii) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2649, art. 3
C6Pt. III (ss. 17-28) modified (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 33(5)(b) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
Textual Amendments
F3S. 17 repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22, para. 3(2), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
(1)For the purpose of enabling [F4it]to perform the functions conferred on [F4it][F5SEPA] may make surveys F6. . .and gauge and keep records of the flow or volume and other characteristics of any stream F6. . ., and may take steps for the measurement and recording of the rainfall F6. . . and for the installation and maintenance for these purposes of gauges or other apparatus and works connected therewith, and may take such other steps as may be necessary in order to obtain any information required for the purposes aforesaid.
(2)The Secretary of State may give directions requiring [F7SEPA] to exercise all or any of the powers conferred on [F7it]by the foregoing subsection and to furnish to him such information obtained in pursuance of the directions at such times and in such form as may be specified in the directions, and it shall be the duty of [F7SEPA] to comply with any directions to given.
(3)[F8SEPA] shall give reasonable facilities for the inspection of records kept by [F9it]of the rainfall or the flow or volume of any stream F10. . . and for the taking of copies or extracts from such records, and such facilities shall be available free of charge to all local authorities F10. . . and shall be available to other persons on payment of such [F11reasonable fees as may be determined by [F8SEPA]]
(4), (5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F12
[F13(6)Notwithstanding anything in this Act, any [F14controlled waters within the meaning of section 30A of the Control of Pollution Act 1974]shall be deemed to be included in the expression “stream” for the purposes of [F15SEPA’s]powers under this section.]
Textual Amendments
F4Words in s. 18(1) substitituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 3(3)(a)(i) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F5Words in s. 18(1) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 3(3)(a)(ii) (with s. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F6Words in s. 18(1) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22 para. 3(3)(a)(iii), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F7Words in s. 18(2) substitituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 3(3)(b) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F8Word in s. 18(3) substitituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 3(3)(c)(i) (with s. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F9Word in s. 18(3) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 3(3)(c)(ii) (with s. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F10Words in s. 18(3) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22 para. 3(3)(c)(iii), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F11Words substituted by Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65), Sch. 16 para. 6
F12S. 18(4)(5) repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40 SIF 46:4), s. 109(2), Sch. 4
F14Words substituted by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)-(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 17, Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58
F15Word in s. 18(6) substitituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 3(3)(d) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
(1)[F16SEPA]shall have a right to obtain and take away samples of water from any stream or of any effluent which is passing from any land or vessel into any stream F17. . ..
F18(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F18(2A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F18(2B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)Notwithstanding anything in this Act, any [F19controlled waters within the meaning of section 30A of the Control of Pollution Act 1974] shall be deemed to be included in the expression “stream” for the purposes of [F20SEPA’s]powers under this section.
[F21(4)In this section F22. . . any reference to land includes a reference to premises.]
Textual Amendments
F16Word in s. 19(1) substitituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22. para. 3(4)(a)(i) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F17Words in s. 19(1) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22. para. 3(4)(a)(ii), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F18S. 19(2)-(2B) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 111(1)(a), 120(3), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F19Words substituted by virtue of Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 17, Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58
F20Word in s. 19(3) substitituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22. para. 3(4)(b) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F22Words in s. 19(4) substitituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(3), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
F28(1) . . .
(a), (b)F28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F29(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F28
(2), (3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F28
F29(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F28S. 25(1)(a)(b)(d)(2) and (3) repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40, SIF 46:4), s. 109(2), Sch. 4
F29S. 25(1)(c)(4) repealed (31. 5. 1991) by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40, SIF 46:4), s. 108, Sch.4; S.I. 1991/1173, art.2.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F30(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F31(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F30(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F31(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F30(5), (6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F31(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F31(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F31(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F31S. 26(2)(4)(7)(8)(9) repealed (31. 5. 1991) by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40, SIF 46:4), s. 108, Sch.4; S.I. 1991/1173, art. 2.
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
(1)Any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State under this Act shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.
(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F37
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
(1)In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say—
“contravention” includes failure to comply with, and “contravene” shall be construed accordingly;
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F40
“functions” includes powers and duties;
“land” includes land covered by water;
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F41
[F42“local authority” means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F40
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F43
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F40
F44. . .
F44. . .
[F45“SEPA” means the Scottish Environment Protection Agency;]
[F46“sewerage authority” shall be construed in accordance with section 62 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;]
[F47“sewage effluent” includes any effluent from the sewage disposal or sewerage works of a local authority;]
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F40
“stream” includes any river, watercourse or inland water (whether natural or artificial) and any tidal waters to which this Act applies, except that it does not include either—
any body of water which does not discharge into a stream; or
any sewer vested in a [F48sewerage] authority,
but any reference to a stream includes a reference to the channel or bed of a stream which is for the time being dry;
“tidal waters” means any part of the sea or the tidal part of any river, watercourse or inland water (whether natural or artificial) and includes the waters of any enclosed dock which adjoins tidal waters;
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F40
(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F49
(3)–(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F50
Textual Amendments
F40Definitions repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40 SIF 46:4), s. 109(2), Sch. 4
F41Definitions repealed by Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65), Sch. 29
F42Definition in s. 35(1) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 38(8)(a); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)
F43Definition repealed by Water (Scotland) Act 1967 (c. 78), Sch. 6 Pt. II
F44Definitions in s. 35(1) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22. para. 3(5)(a), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F45Definition in s. 35(1) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22. para. 3(5)(b), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3
F46Definition in s. 35(1) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 38(8)(b); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)
F47Definition repealed (prosp.) by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40 SIF 46:4), s. 109(2), Sch. 4
F48S. 35(1): word in paragraph (b) in definition of “stream” substituted (1.4.1996 ) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 38(8)(c); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)
F50S. 35(3)–(8) repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40 SIF 46:4), s. 109(2), Sch. 4
(1)This Act may be cited as the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Act 1951.
(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F51
(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F52
(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F51
(5)This Act shall extend to Scotland only.
Textual Amendments
F51S. 36(2)(4) repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40 SIF 46:4), s. 109(2), Sch. 4
F52S. 36(3) repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1974 (c. 22), Sch. Pt. XI
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
1S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F55
Textual Amendments
2S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F56
Textual Amendments
3S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F57
Textual Amendments
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F58Sch. 4 repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1974 (c. 22), Sch. Pt. XI