§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many incidents relating to Cryptosporidium in drinking water are awaiting assessment and report by the drinking water inspectorate; [20088]
(2) if he will list the incidents by water company and date relating to Cryptosporidium in drinking water reported to the drinking water inspectorate since 1 January 1993. [20089]
§ Mr. ClappisonWater companies in England and Wales are required to report all incidents in which drinking water quality might be affected. All incidents are investigated by the drinking water inspectorate. Most incidents are relatively minor happenings.
The most significant risk to drinking water quality is the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. On Cryptosporidium, the notification to the inspectorate can relate either to the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in treated water, or to an increase of the illness cryptosporidiosis in the community, or both. The transmission of the illness occurs in a number of ways and often through contact with animals. One recent outbreak of cryptosporidiosis was found to be associated with the failure of a milk pasteurisation plant. The source of any outbreak has to be established through epidemiology.
A case of South West Water Services Ltd. allegedly supplying water unfit for human consumption during 1995 because of Cryptosporidium is currently before the courts.
446WNotifications of events involving Cryptosporidium since 1 January 1993 are listed under three headings together with the status of the investigation. It should be noted that not all notifications become confirmed as incidents.
Cryptosporidium oocysts detected in treated water but no reported increase of cryptosporidiosis in the community Water company area Date Location Status Yorkshire Water 5 January 1995 Huby WTW concluded Yorkshire Water 16 March 1995 Fixby WTW concluded Essex and Suffolk 30 March 1995 Ormsby WTW concluded Yorkshire Water 31 August 1995 Cottingham adit concluded Yorkshire Water 13 September 1995 Kepwick Springs WTW(in raw water) concluded South West Water 13 September 1995 Parracombe WTW concluded Yorkshire Water 5 January 1996 Elvington WTW concluded Yorkshire Water 10 January 1996 Elvington WTW concluded Yorkshire Water 15 January 1996 Kepwick Springs WTW concluded South West Water 29 May 1996 Littlehempston concluded Cambridge Water 30 May 1996 Duxford/Linton concluded South West Water 27 June 1996 Crown Hill WTW concluded Mid Kent Water 3 July 1996 Burham WTW concluded Southern Water Yorkshire Water 17 October 1996 Elvington WTW(raw water only) under investigation Northumbrian Water 22 October 1996 Lumley WTW under investigation Yorkshire Water 21 February 1997 Pateley Bridge under investigation Cambridge 12 March 1997 St. Ives under investigation Cambridge 12 March 1997 Horse Heath under investigation
An increase in cryptosporidiosis in the community by oocysts not detected in treated water Water company area Date Location Status Wessex Water April 1993 Poole under investigation Yorkshire Water 11 June 1993 Gilstead (Shipley/Bingley) under investigation Northumbria 15 June 1993 Sherburn Concluded North West April 1994 Chorley Concluded North East 25 January 1996 Sunderland under investigation Yorkshire Water 21 March 1996 Tophill Low under investigation Anglian Water 12 February 1997 Bedford area under investigation Three Valleys Water 26 February 1997 Luton/Dunstable under investigation
Both oocysts detected in treated water and an increase of cryptosporidiosis in the community Water company area Date Location Status South West Water 12 August 1995 Torbay/Littlehempston being prosecuted North West Water 29 April 1996 The Wirral under investigation Portsmouth Water 18 November 1996 Itchen WTW under investigation Three Valleys Water 2 March 1997 Clay Lane WTW under investigation Three Valleys Water 2 March 1997 Welwyn under investigation No incidents relating to Cryptosporidium other than those listed are awaiting assessment or report.
447W
§ Mrs. JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the drinking water inspectorate will report on the Shipley/Bingley incident of Cryptosporidium in drinking water on 11 June 1993. [20090]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe investigation by the drinking water inspectorate of this incident is continuing. As is standard practice, as part of its investigations, the inspectorate is considering whether there is a case for prosecuting Yorkshire Water plc, under section 70 of the Water Industry Act 1991, for the alleged offence of supplying water unfit for human consumption.
§ Mrs. JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Office of Water Supply regarding compensation to be paid to the customers affected by the Cryptosporidium incident in the area of the Three Valleys Water Company. [20094]
§ Mr. ClappisonNone. The drinking water inspectorate has commenced a full investigation to establish whether the recent outbreak of cryptosporidiosis is linked to the water supply. After this investigation is completed, the Director General of Water Services will consider whether there is any case for compensation.