§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what the effect would be on bacterial levels in the River Ribble of uprating Clifton Marsh sewage treatment works to include full conventional treatment and disinfection using environmentally benign methods;
(2) If he willprovide estimates of what proportion of sewage pollution experienced by Lytham St. Anne's is due to (a) bacterial levels in the River Ribble and (b) existing local discharges of sewage.
§ Mr. HowardDetails of how much of the bacterial content of the bathing waters at Lytham St. Annes 397W emanates from local discharges or from the river Ribble are not available. I understand that the North West water authority believes that the Ribble is a major influence and that the output from Clifton Marsh sewage treatment works is a major component of the bacteriological levels in the river. They are investigating a number of options for improving the quality of the discharge from Clifton Marsh sewage treatment works, including secondary treatment and disinfection.