§ Mr. Frank CookTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning the average levels of pentachlorophenol in industrial discharges in the Rossendale and Darwen constituency; what is the highest level of measured discharge of pentachlorophenol; and what is the maximum permitted discharge level.
§ Mr. BaldryAvailable information on discharges to rivers and sewers is held for rivers by the north-west region328W of the National Rivers Authority, and North West Water plc for sewers. Discharge levels are constrained by the requirements of EC directive 86/280/EEC which sets a limit of 2mg per litre for individual discharges. The directive also sets an environmental quality objective of 2 microgrammes per litre, which has been taken into national law in the Surface Water (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1989 and which, as required by the Water Act 1989, we aim to meet in all areas so far as it is practicable.