DEFRA to update security and emergency measures in light of retail market opening

Following a 1-29 August consultation which won widespread support from respondents, DEFRA is to update its security and emergency measures directions in light of retail market opening.

The highlighted proposals are to:

• Alter the wording in the Security and Emergency Measures (Water Undertakers) Direction 2006 from “licensed water supplier” to “water supply licensee” to take into account changes to the water industry as part of the WSSL regime.

• Issue a new general direction on how water suppliers are expected to respond to an emergency which would apply to all water supply licensees. This general direction would replace specific directions that have previously been issued to individual companies.

The Department now intends to lay the directions in Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales and anticipates they will come into force on 1 January 2018.