(1) On every service pipe laid after the commencement of this Act the Chairperson, shall, and on every service pipe laid before such commencement, Chairperson may, fit a stopcock enclosed in a cover box or a pit of such size as may be reasonably necessary.
     (2) Every stopcocks fitted on a service pipe after the commencement of this Act shall be placed in such position as the Chairperson deems most convenient:
    Provided that--
         (a) a stopcock in private premises shall be placed as near as is reasonably practicable to the street from which the service pipe enters those premises; and
         (b) a stopcock in a street shall be placed as near to the boundary thereof as is reasonably practicable.