§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the EC directives relating to groundwater protection and indicate in each case how compliance is(a) monitored and (b) enforced.[11382]
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply.
The Groundwater Directive (80/60/EEC) is the principal EC measure for the protection of groundwater. As competent authority in England and Wales the Environment Agency has powers under the Water Resources Act 1991, the Environment Act 1995, the Groundwater Regulations 1998 and the Anti-Pollution Works Notices Regulations 1999 to enforce this directive's authorisations. The Environment Agency has also developed a strategic monitoring network to determine groundwater status.