HL Deb 18 November 2004 vol 666 cc224-5WA
Lord Roberts of Llandudno

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many water purification units are held by water authorities; and in which years they were manufactured; and [HL4558]

When water purification units were last released for emergency use at home and overseas; and how many of them were then released; and [HL4559]

On what occasion in the past five years water purification tablets were made available in emergencies at home and overseas. [HL4560]

Lord Whitty

Water companies in England and Wales have 170 water purification units which are thought to be 10 to 25 years old. At home, these units have not been used in an emergency and neither have water purification tablets been used or distributed during the last five years.

Two units were sent abroad with purification tablets in 2001 to help with an emergency.