Reservoirs Act 1975
Safety legislation for reservoirs in the United Kingdom was first introduced in 1930 after several reservoir disasters had resulted in loss of life. This Act was superseded by the Reservoirs Act 1975, which today provides the legal framework to ensure the safety of large raised reservoirs and applies to reservoirs that hold at least 25,000 cubic metres of water above natural ground level.
Under the Reservoirs Act 1975 reservoir owners (Undertakers) have ultimate responsibility for the safety of their reservoirs. They must appoint a Panel Engineer (a specialist civil engineer who is qualified and experienced in reservoir safety) to continuously supervise the reservoir (Supervising Engineer) and to carry out periodic inspections (Inspecting Engineer). A Panel Engineer must also be appointed to design and construct a new reservoir or repair or make changes to an existing reservoir (Construction Engineer).
A periodic inspection, by an Inspecting Engineer, is required every ten years or more frequently if necessary. As a result of that inspection, a safe operating regime will be specified and works required ‘in the interests of safety’ may be recommended.
A Supervising Engineer is required to supervise the operation and maintenance of the reservoir and produce an annual statement. The Supervising Engineer can recommend that a periodic inspection is carried out.
For reservoirs below the threshold of 25,000 cubic metres regulation is managed by the Health and Safety Executive (under the Health and Safety at Work (etc) Act 1974) and Local Authorities (under the Building Act 1984).
