HC Deb 10 July 1989 vol 156 cc343-4W
Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a breakdown of the likely chemical composition of the water flowing from the Taff and Ely rivers which are to be contained by the proposed Cardiff bay barrage.

Mr. Grist

The 1985 river quality survey showed that the quality of the River Taff varied between classes 1B and 2 and that of the River Ely between classes 2 and 3.

Water quality modelling associated with the proposed Cardiff bay barrage is still being undertaken. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman write to the chairman of the Welsh water authority to obtain the latest position.

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the estimated tonnage of sewage disposed of on an annual basis into the rivers of mid-Glamorgan.

Mr. Grist

Information is not available in the form requested. The consented volumes of all consented discharges are entered on to public registers maintained by Welsh Water and available for inspection at its offices during all reasonable hours.

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list water supplies in South Wales that meet the minimum quality standards set by the EEC.

Mr. Grist

All water supplies which have not been notified as being subject to derogations or delays under the EC directive relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption (80/778/EEC) should meet the standards set by that directive.

Mr. Speller

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has assessed whether the proposed 1-mile sewage outfall from Swansea will enable local beaches to attain the standard of European Community directive 76/160/EEC.

Mr. Grist

No. The specific aim of the proposed outfall is to achieve compliance of the identified waters of Swansea Bay with the standards of the directive, but design is at a preliminary stage and engineering studies have yet to be completed. Other local beaches listed under the terms of the directive complied with its standards during the 1988 bathing season.

Mr. Speller

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to Welsh Water about sewage contamination on south Wales beaches; and how many of these beaches attain the water standards under directive 76/160/EEC.

Mr. Grist

Welsh Office officials are in touch with Welsh Water concerning their capital programme of improvements to bathing waters. Fifteen of the 22 bathing waters in south Wales listed under the directive complied with its standards during 1988.