§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following the publication of the report "Nitrates in Water, DOE Pollution paper No 26," he intends to seek to reduce the concentrates of nitrogen oxide per litre in public water to 50 mg; what would be the estimated cost of reducing nitrate concentrate in all such water to (i) 80 mg/litre, (ii) 70 mg/litre, (iii) 60 mg/litre and (iv) 50 mg/litre; if he intends to consult with farmers on making a contribution to the costs of any reduction in nitrate levels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe current policy of ensuring that no public supplies exceed 80 milligrammes of nitrate per litre on a three-monthly average and a maximum of 100 mg-litre is consistent with advice received from the chief medical officer and is therefore being maintained. The estimated cost of reducing nitrate concentrations in public supplies below 80 mgl now is estimated to be £0.1m, and below 50 mg/l, £50 m. Estimates are not available for 60 mg/l or 70 mg/l but most public supplies which exceed 50 mg/l are below 70mg/l. However, cost is not the only consideration because processes available to reduce nitrate content may lead to a deterioration in water quality in other respects. Consultations will be held with farming interests on the contribution farmers can make to a reduction in nitrate levels.