56LRegulated entity may reduce or restrict water supply

56L Regulated entity may reduce or restrict water supply

(1)  A regulated entity may reduce or restrict the quantity of water supplied to any person if –

(a) the regulated entity is, because of a shortage of water or for any other unavoidable cause, unable to supply the quantity of water which would otherwise be supplied to the person; or

(b) the regulated entity believes that the reduction or restriction is necessary to avoid future water shortages.

(2)  If a regulated entity exercises its power under subsection (1) , it must publish in a newspaper circulating generally in the area in which the reduction or restriction is to apply, a notice of the proposed reduction or restriction.

(2A)  [Section 56L Subsection (2A) inserted by No. 32 of 2012, s. 5, Applied:25 Feb 2013] A regulated entity, on a day that has been declared under section 70 of the Fire Service Act 1979 to be a day of total fire ban, may reduce or restrict the quantity of water supplied to any person.

(2B)  [Section 56L Subsection (2B) inserted by No. 32 of 2012, s. 5, Applied:25 Feb 2013] As soon as practicable after –

(a) a regulated entity becomes aware that a day of total fire ban has been declared under section 70 of the Fire Service Act 1979 ; and

(b) the regulated entity forms the intention to reduce or restrict the quantity of water that may be supplied to any person on that day –

the regulated entity must take reasonable steps to inform persons, situated in the area in which the reduction or restriction applies or is to apply, of the reduction or restriction.

(3)  A regulated entity that reduces or restricts the supply of water to a person in accordance with this section is not liable to any claim or demand in respect of the reduction or restriction.

(4)  A regulated entity that reduces or restricts the supply of water to a person must do so in accordance with this Act or regulations made under this Act in relation to water restrictions.