§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the present levels of cleanliness of Southampton Water and the Solent, respectively; and how those levels match up to European Economic Community standards.
§ Mr. HowardThe relevant standards are those set in Directive 79/923/EEC, on the quality of water for shellfish, and in Directive 76/160/EEC on the quality of bathing water. There are five designated shellfish waters in Southampton Water and the Solent. All meet the directive's standards.
I announced on 21 February 1989 at column 572 the results of the 1988 survey of bathing water in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The results for identified bathing waters in the Southampton Water and Solent area are:
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Result Bracklesham Bay Pass West Wittering Pass West of Eastoke Pass West Hayling Pass
Result Eastney Fail Southsea Fail Stokes Bay Pass Lee-on-Solent Pass Calshot Fail Lepe Pass Highcliffe Pass Compton Bay Pass Totland Bay Pass Colwell Bay Fail Gurnard Fail Cowes Fail Ryde Fail Seagrove Fail St. Helens Fail Bembridge Fail The Southern water authority plans to spend about £30 million over the next few years on major schemes to improve bathing waters in this area.
§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present level of cleanliness of the principal rivers in Hampshire; and to what extent they meet European Economic Community standards.
§ Mr. HowardThe principal rivers in Hampshire are classified as good quality (class 1A or 1B) for virtually all their length. These are the highest quality classifications, indicating waters which are suitable for potable supply, generally support game fisheries and have high amenity value.
Significant stretches of these rivers and their main tributaries, are designated under EEC Directive 78/659/EEC on the quality of freshwater needed to support fish life. All are reported to be meeting the directive's standards.