As urban populations grew in the early nineteenth century, water was provided either by local authorities or by private companies, each of which obtained its powers from Parliament by obtaining local acts. The scope of these acts varied considerably, and an attempt was made to provide some uniformity by the passing of the Waterworks Clauses Acts of 1847 and 1863.
The provision of water in urban areas during the early nineteenth century was governed by local authorities or private companies, each obtaining their legal right from Parliament through specific acts. The scope of these acts varied considerably, but efforts were made to standardize them with the Waterworks Clauses Acts of 1847 and 1863.