§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list each of the water supplies in Scotland which have been issued with a relaxation under regulation 4(1)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 in respect of aluminium, the size of the population served, the mean concentration of aluminium recorded, and which of these have aluminium in excess of the EC standard for each of the individual water supplies;
(2) if he will give a breakdown of those water supplies with aluminium in excess of the EC standards which have been granted a relaxation under regulation 4(1)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 which have excess aluminium as a result of the naturally occurring aluminium.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonRelaxations under regulation 4(1)(c) have been authorised in respect of aluminium in the supply zones listed in the table. The population and the authorised maximum concentration of aluminium in each case are shown. Data on mean concentrations for individual supplies are not held centrally. The EC standard is the same as that set in the regulations (200 micrograms per litre). All these relaxations relate to naturally occurring aluminium.
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Population Authorised maximum value micrograms per litre Dumfries and Galloway Black Esk 27,867 250 Lochinvar 12,863 250 Penwhirn 10,391 230 Carsphairn 153 300 New Abbey 1,458 600 Wanlockhead 128 300 Palnure 191 400 Grampian Inverurie—Newbigging (until 1995) 2,131 300 Strathdon 100 500 Highland Ardvasar/Dariach 60 800 Balmacara 260 340 Beauly Firth 5,250 290 Carbost 240 770 Dornie 260 230 Drumbeg 70 630 Durness 220 250 Glendale 260 600 Kentallen 250 710 Kilchoan 200 310 Kilmaluag 150 340 Kilmuir 210 650 Kinlochbervie 380 300 Laid 100 220 Mellon Udrigle 100 660 Melness 100 340 Nedd 30 670 Onich 450 1,140 Penifiler 30 650 Poolewe 200 310 Portree 2,670 710 Raasay 160 680 Scourie 180 230 Shieldaig 100 610 Spean Bridge 450 830 Spey Valley—Blackpark 7,640 270 Strontian 340 440 Uig/Idrigill 160 590 Strathclyde Brodick (until 2000) 900 370 Catacol (until 1997) 93 240 Kilmory/Sliddery (until 1998) 420 320 Lochranza (until 2000) 300 310 Pirnmill (until 1997) 50 220 Loch Gair (until 1996) 130 210 Portnahaven (until 1991) 180 470 Nerebolls (until 1991) 30 470 Graighouse (until 1999) 150 280 Ross of Mull (until 1994) 135 570 Kilberry (until 1999) 40 240 Arinagour (until 1997) 50 280 Iona (until 1995) 150 320 Mulindry (until 1994) 25 740
§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what are the criteria applied in deciding the duration of the relaxations under regulation 4(1)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 in respect of individual water supplies; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what are the criteria applied in deciding which water supplies are subject to relaxations under regulation 4(1)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonRelaxations under regulation 4(1)(c) can be authorised only in respect of substances or parameters arising from the nature and structure of the ground in the area from which the supply emanates. They cannot be authorised for toxic substances or microbiological parameters and must not give rise to a public health hazard. An authorisation can be modified or revoked at any time, without notice if that is necessary in the interests of public health.
The regulations do not require any limit of duration to be specified in the authorisation of a relaxation under regulation 4(1)(c). Where a time limit is stated it is the date by which the water authority expects to make improvements, so that the supply will meet the standards, and beyond which the relaxation will not be needed.
§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will release details of the latest updated list of water supplies which have been granted relaxations under regulation 4(1)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 in respect of aluminium; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonCurrent relaxations are listed in my answer to an earlier question today. Water authorities are required by the regulations to maintain a public record containing information on the quality of water in each of their supply zones, including particulars of any relaxations granted. They are also required to publish similar information in an annual report to be issued by 30 June each year. The first such reports, covering the part-year 1 July to 31 December 1990, are due by 30 June 1991.