§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in improving the record of the water industry in respect of(a) leakage, (b) water quality and (c) value for money for consumers. [23697]
§ Mr. MeacherMy right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced at the water summit in May 1997 a 10-point action plan to help secure a reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable water industry which recognises that its primary duty is to meet the needs of its customers. The Government are looking for a sustained commitment from the water companies to the actions identified and is asking them for updates on their summit-related activities. There has been considerable progress.
(a) Since the water summit the Director General of Water Services has set mandatory leakage targets for every water company to meet by the end of 1998–99. These will mean a 16 per cent. reduction in total leakage below companies' own targets for 1997–98.
(b) The quality of drinking water is high. 99.7 per cent. of the 3.1 million tests carried out in England and Wales during 1996 met the relevant standards. Data for 1997 are still being collected by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and will be published later this year.
(c) On prices, the Government look to the Director General to set tough new price limits, in his next periodic review of water price limits to apply from 1 April 2000, which represent the best value for money, given the industry's service and environmental obligations. As part of the drive towards meeting leakage targets, all companies now provide free supply pipe leakage detection and repair services for domestic customers.
In addition, the Government are undertaking a fundamental review of utility regulation. The Government want the regulatory framework to deliver value, quality and choice to consumers while providing incentives to managers to innovate and improve efficiency.
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§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many sewage treatment plants in the United Kingdom include ultra-violet treatment systems; and if he will list their locations. [23716]
§ Angela EagleA list from the Environment Agency on locations of the thirty-five sewage treatment works which include ultra-violet treatment in England and Wales is attached in the table. The information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland respectively.
Waste Water Treatment Works in England and Wales with UV Disinfection as at January 1998 Agency Region Treatment Works South West Lyme Regis Exmouth Menagwins (St. Austell) St. Columb Major Gorran Haven Ashford (Barnstaple) Porthilly (Rock) Trecerus (Padstow) Porthleven St. Agnes Southern New Romney (Littlestone) Dymchurch Camber Thames None Anglian Newton Marsh Mablethorpe Wells-Next-The-Sea Heacham West Mersea Kings Lynn North East None North West Newbiggin Ashkham-in-Furness Silloth Midlands None Welsh Newgale Aberystwyth Llanelli (Bynea) Tywyn/Aberdyfi Criccieth Laugharne Amroth Tenby Dale Llangrannog Pwllhelli Treborth (Bangor) Beaumaris
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of ultra-violet treatment of sewage. [23719]
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§ Angela EagleUltra-violet treatment of sewage effluent can be a cost effective method of achieving microbiological water quality standards at some locations. It has been shown to inactivate a wide range of micro-organisms.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to require ultra-violet treatment of sewage. [23720]
§ Angela EagleLegislation is not needed for this. The type of treatment process used to meet required water quality standards is a matter for the discharger and the environmental regulator.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned into the effectiveness of ultra-violet treatment of sewage. [23718]
§ Angela EagleThe Department published comprehensive reviews of sewage disinfection techniques in 1988 and 1992, both of which examined the effectiveness of ultra-violet treatment. They were published by Consultants in Environmental Sciences Ltd. A further review, jointly funded by this Department, the Environment Agency and the water industry, on the fate of enteroviruses through sewage treatment processes, is currently in progress.