The regulations amend the Water Resources Act 1991 by making changes to the power to designate Water Protection Zones (WPZs), together with the powers to undertake anti-pollution works and serve notices to undertake such works.

The purpose is to ensure that England and Wales are able properly to comply with the obligations imposed by Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (the Water Framework Directive).