Information note on Regulation 23 (Wales)
For a printable copy see: Regulation-23-Wales-final-1.pdf (dwi.gov.uk).
Regulation 23 (Fees)
Regulation 23 allows local authorities to charge up to a maximum fee for carrying out specified duties under the Regulations. Schedule 6 of the Regulations sets out the permissible maximum and the conditions that local authorities must adhere to when setting a fee. A local authority may only use this power to recover the actual cost incurred in carrying out a specified activity. The maximum fee is exclusive of Value Added Tax.
Chargeable Activities
Regulatory Activity | Maximum fee (£) |
|---|---|
A risk assessment for regulation 9 supplies | 700 |
A sampling visit (per visit) | 100 |
An investigation for example of a complaint or a breach of | 250 |
Laboratory testing costs (analysing a sample) |
25 |
When carrying out an investigation, if further samples are taken as part of the investigation, then the cost must be included and recovered up to the specified maximum for an investigation. An additional charge for a sampling visit should not be made.
A local authority can charge for a sample visit if the purpose is to verify the effectiveness of improvements, for example following the completion of actions specified in a notice or action plan.
A local authority should not charge for a sample that is taken and analysed solely to confirm or clarify the results of a previous sample.
Where a local authority monitors a regulation 10 supply, where it suspects that the supply presents a potential risk to human health, it should not charge the owner or occupier for the cost of doing so, only if the owner or occupier requested the local authority to carry out the monitoring from the supply.
Where other parameters are identified in the risk assessment as a risk to human health which are not specified by the regulations, the charges may be included within the £600 maximum allowed for risk assessment charges.
Local authorities can limit the cost of risk assessment by making use of information from other stakeholders, for example National Resources Wales, the local water company, British Geological Survey, Drinking Water Inspectorate. Costs can also be limited by sending out a letter to the relevant persons in advance requesting information about the supply.
Charges will vary between local authorities due to several factors (for example numbers of supplies, locations). Local authorities should have a transparent charging regime which is easily accessible and in a user-friendly format for example on their website.
Where monitoring is undertaken at a single property to represent several properties on a single supply, the responsibility for payment should be agreed by the relevant persons. Relevant persons are advised to document any agreements regarding payment of any ongoing charging costs, for example regulatory monitoring and risk assessment, maintenance, improvements servicing costs.
Payment of fees is chargeable to the appropriate relevant person(s), as determined by the local authority. Where there is more than one relevant person, the legislation does not specify how costs are apportioned (see information note on regulation 2 and regulation 3).
PWS (Wales) Regulations 2017 v.2, November 2020