Mr. W. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to examine the possibility of pumping water from the River Bollin for use in the Warrington new town area; what the cost of treatment of the water so used would be; and what would be the risk of increased pollution of the water remaining untreated in the River Bollin.
§ Mr. Graham PageMy predecessor issued loan sanction to the Warrington, Runcorn and District Water Board to test pump boreholes in the gravels at the side of the River Bollin near Warburton Bridge; the scheme was found to be unsuitable. The board then sought the views of my Department about an abstraction from the river near Dunham. After consultation with the river authority, this, was found to be unsuitable, and I understand that the board has abandoned the scheme. No estimate of cost of water from the scheme has been given by the water board.
As the scheme is not being pursued there is no question of increased pollution arising.