77.— (1) Notwithstanding section 36, a water services authority may, and if directed by the Minister shall, make or review rural water services strategic plans with regard to the provision of water services to all rural areas within its functional area.

(2) A plan under subsection (1) shall form an integral component of a water services strategic plan under section 36, and shall be reviewed from time to time in conjunction with a review of such latter plan.

(3) A rural water services strategic plan which has been made, or is in the process of being made, prior to the first occasion of the making of a water services strategic plan under section 36 shall be reviewed as necessary, and in any event shall be incorporated into the first such plan or plans which is or are made by a water services authority under this Act in respect of its functional area or any part of it.

(4) Any reference to a water services strategic plan in Part 2 may be read as a reference to a rural water services strategic plan for the purpose of such plan.