§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the net environmental effect that would flow from tightening drinking water standards further, with particular reference to energy consumption by water companies. [163055]
§ Mr. MorleyThe standards for wholesomeness included in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 are based on those set out in the 1998 EC Directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption (98/83/EC). These in turn reflect the current World Health Organisation guideline values for drinking water quality. The WHO has published a third edition of its draft guidelines which the European Commission has considered as part of a review of standards, as required by the Directive, in the light of scientific and technical progress.
The process of reviewing the Directive started during October 2003 when the European Commission held a seminar. It has indicated that there is unlikely to be significant changes to the current standards during next five years and that any changes that might be adopted would be unlikely to come into force before 2010. The Government considers that it is not possible to consider provision for costs associated with possible changes to water quality standards within the 2004 periodic review of water prices.
Drinking water standards apply generally at consumers' taps. Environmental standards are set independently to protect the environment, for example, the environmental quality standards that are set to protect aquatic organisms and ecosystems are applied in the water body.
If, in the light of scientific and technical progress, the EC were to agree to more stringent drinking water quality standards in the future, the normal requirements to consult and to prepare impact assessments would apply to any proposed new regulatory standards. The costs of meeting such tighter standards would also be taken into account in the periodic review of water prices.