Definition:

Controlled Waters

These are fully defined in Section 104 of the Water Resources Act 1991. They include in summary:

1. Relevant territorial waters which extend seaward for three miles from the low-tide limit from which the territorial sea adjacent to England and Wales is measured.
2. Coastal waters from the low-tide limit to the high-tide limit or fresh-water limit of a river or watercourse.
3. Inland freshwaters

• Natural and artificial lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers or watercourses above the fresh-water limit
• Natural and artificial underground rivers and watercourses
• Surface water sewers, ditches and soakaways that discharge to surface or groundwater
• It also includes those that may be currently dry.

4. Groundwaters– any waters contained in underground strata.

It does not include any public sewer or any drain that enters into a public sewer (foul sewer).