§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those water companies which operate a seasonally variable regime of sewage treatment. [16119]
§ Angela EagleThis information is not held centrally but discharge consents set by the Environment Agency in some coastal areas include a requirement for additional treatment during summer months to meet water quality standards under the EC Bathing Water Directive.
§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with water undertakings concerning the practice of downgrading sewage treatment levels prior to discharge into the sea during winter months. [16120]
§ Angela EagleThis is primarily a matter for the Environment Agency when setting consent conditions for water company sewage discharges. These consents are set within the framework of EU and domestic statutory requirements and Government and Agency policy on water quality.