§ Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to set targets to reduce the number of residential properties not connected to mains sewerage. [32264]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 5 February 2002]: It would not be practicable to set targets as it is largely a matter between householders and sewerage undertakers which has to be considered on a case-by-case basis. If their existing non mains drainage system is causing an environmental or amenity problem, householders can apply to the sewerage undertaker to provide mains sewerage, the cost of which would be met by customers generally if the specified criteria are met. Alternatively, a householder not on mains sewerage can requisition a sewer from the sewerage undertaker with the householder meeting the cost.
§ Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many residential properties in each region have been connected to mains sewerage for the first time in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [32265]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 5 February 2002]: Ofwat does not collect information on how many residential properties in each region are connected to mains sewerage each year. It collects estimates from sewerage companies each year of the number of households served by those companies. Estimates for the year 2001–02 are published by Ofwat in "Tariff structure and charges 2001–02 report". Copies are in the Library. The figures for 2000–01 and 2001–02 are as follows.
90W
Thousand Householders 2000–01 2001–02 Anglian Water 2,188 2,208 Dwy Cymru 1,177 1,192 United Utilities 2,706 2,737 Northumbrian Water 1,049 1,042 Severn Trent Water 3,291 3,314 South West Water 569 576 Southern Water 1,610 1,628 Thames Water 4,830 4,883 Wessex Water 982 947 Yorkshire Water 1,864 1,886