§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's estimate of the level of groundwater under London over the past 10 years, and of its quality; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThis is primarily a matter for the National Rivers Authority which monitors groundwater levels. I understand that indications from recent surveys are that levels below London are rising by some 1 to 2 metres per year because of a drop in industrial activity and consequent abstraction. The NRA and Thames Water are currently conducting studies into the rising levels and the quality of London's groundwater.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to monitor the purity of groundwater from private boreholes.
§ Mr. MacleanThis is primarily a matter for the National Rivers Authority. However, water companies and other abstractors of water from private boreholes do carry out their own monitoring of groundwater quality. Holders of authorisations to discharge effluents underground also monitor groundwater by the use of boreholes.
The Private Water Supplies Regulations 1991 set out the duties of local authorities for sampling and analysing those supplies used for drinking, washing, cooking or commercial food production. The drinking water inspectorate is responsible for checking that authorities in England and Wales comply with the requirements of these regulations.