§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many of the cases of water pollution due to agriculture, recorded in 1994 occurred as a result of(a) pesticides on crops, (b) silage and (c) fertilizers; [25853]
(2) what was the number of recorded cases of water pollution caused by agricultural practice in 1994. [25854]
§ Mr. AtkinsThe National Rivers Authority publishes a detailed annual statistical report on water pollution incidents in England and Wales. The report for 1994 will be published this summer. However, on the basis of the information currently available which is still being validated, the NRA estimates that there were 3,329 pollution incidents arising from agriculture in 1994, of which 26 can be attributed to pesticides, 259 to silage and780W professional at Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution now; and what it was in each of the years since 1990. [25686]
§ Mr. AtkinsThe information is as follows:
17 to solid and liquid fertilizers. In addition, eight can be attributed to sheep dip.
§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions there have been in each of the last five years of water companies for illegally breaching consents to discharge treated sewage. [25905]
§ Mr. AtkinsI understand that there have been 58 such prosecutions of water companies since 1989–90. The annual figures are:
- 1989–90: 4
- 1991: 17
- 1992: 17
- 1993: 11
- 1994: 9
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many court actions were taken in each of the last three years in total and in each region by the National Rivers Authority; at what gross and net cost to the authority; how many court actions were taken in each of the last three years in total and against each of the water and sewerage companies by the National Rivers Authority; at what gross and net costs; how many of the court actions taken by the National Rivers Authority in each of the last three years in each region resulted in the polluter being prosecuted; and what were the total fines imposed by the National Rivers Authority on(a) polluters and (b) statutory water undertakers in each of the last three years in each region. [25777]
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 23 May 1995]: The National Rivers Authority publishes an annual statistical report on water pollution incidents in England and Wales. The report for 1994 will be published later this year but the latest estimates for that year are included in the tables. In some cases the information is not available in exactly the form requested. As regards the cost of court actions, the NRA does not keep records of its costs categorised annually for individual regions or water and sewerage companies. The average cost to the NRA of bringing a prosecution—reflecting a wide range of prosecutions—is £660. Costs imposed by the courts can vary widely and can rarely be compared with the actual cost of taking a prosecution.
781W
Total court actions (in respect of incidents occurring in the relevant calendar year and heard by the end of the relevant financial year) Region 1992 1993 1994 Anglian 34 45 45 Northumbria and Yorkshire 22 26 13
Total court actions (in respect of incidents occurring in the relevant calendar year and heard by the end of the relevant financial year) Region 1992 1993 1994 North West 61 61 49 Severn-Trent 72 56 32 Southern 5 5 9 South Western 37 26 29 Thames 32 31 32 Welsh 34 36 28 Totals 297 286 237
Court actions against water and sewerage companies Company 1992 1993 1994 Southern Water 4 1 1 Severn Trent Water 1 4 2 South West Water 2 — — Wessex Water 2 4 1 Northumbria Water 3 — — Yorkshire Water 1 11 1 Anglian Water 7 1 2 Thames Water 5 7 4 North West Water 4 6 13 Welsh Water 11 2 1 Total 40 36 25
Fines against water and sewerage undertakers £ Company 1992 1993 1994 Total Southern Water 4,800 5,000 4,000 13,800 Severn Trent Water 2,000 8,750 11,000 21,750 South West Water 6,000 — — 6,000 Wessex Water 4,500 6,700 — 11,200 Northumbria Water 6,750 — — 6,750 Yorkshire Water 6,000 101,000 5,000 112,000 Anglian Water 30,750 4,000 2,500 37,250 Thames Water 20,000 23,500 15,000 58,500 North West Water 34,000 33,000 56,500 123,500 Welsh Water 39,600 9,000 20,000 68,600 Totals 154,900 190,950 114,000 459,350
Enforcement Successful prosecutions (all polluters) (in respect of incidents occurring in the relevant calendar year) Region 1992 1993 1994 Anglian 34 42 45 Northumbria and Yorkshire 22 24 13 North West 60 60 46 Severn Trent 72 56 31 Southern 4 5 5 South Western 36 25 27 Thames 30 29 28 Welsh 32 36 27 Total 290 277 222 782W
Total fines (all polluters) £ Region 1992–93 1993–94 Northumbria and Yorkshire 144,150 176,100 North West 167,700 256,600 Welsh 91,775 74,050 Severn Trent 139,550 172,440
Total fines (all polluters) £ Region 1992–93 1993–94 Anglian 164,850 168,650 Thames 202,000 111,000 Southern 80,540 32,500 South Western 100,460 97,280 Total 1,091,025 1,088,580