296Entry on land to read meters or carry out works

#### 296 Entry on land to read meters or carry out works 296 Entry on land to read meters or carry out works > > (1) A water supply authority may, by its employees and agents— > > > > > (a) enter and occupy land and there exercise any of its functions, including the carrying out of any work on, below or above the surface of the land, and > > > > > (b) divert water from, or alter the course of, a stream, and > > > > > (c) impound or take water on, in or under the surface of any land. > > > (2) The power conferred by this section is sufficient authority for an employee or agent to enter and occupy land or any part of a building (except an enclosed part occupied as a separate dwelling) in the exercise of a water supply authority’s functions during daylight for the purpose of— > > > > > (a) reading a meter, or > > > > > (b) ascertaining whether trade waste is present or is being (or has recently been) discharged to a work of the authority, or > > > > > (c) making a valuation, > > > > unless the employee or agent is refused access by the lawful occupier of the land. > > > (3) A water supply authority may, in accordance with the regulations, attach a ventilating shaft, pipe or tube for a sewer to the wall of a building. > > > (4) A water supply authority may remove or use anything dug up or obtained in the exercise of its powers under this section. > > > (5) A water supply authority— > > > > > (a) must do as little damage as practicable in exercising its powers under this section, and > > > > > (b) must compensate all persons who suffer damage by the exercise of the powers, > > > > in relation to the land entered. > > > (6) Compensation may be made by reinstatement or repair, by construction of works or by payment. > > > (7) If a water supply authority provides a sewer, compensation is required only if— > > > > > (a) the sewer causes injury to, or interference with, a building or other structure, or > > > > > (b) a manhole or main ventilator is constructed on the land. > > > (8) A claim for compensation— > > > > > (a) is ineffective unless made in writing not later than 6 months after the damage was suffered, and > > > > > (b) in the absence of agreement on the compensation, must be dealt with as if it were a claim for compensation for the acquisition of land for public purposes under the [Public Works Act 1912](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1912-045).