HC Deb 17 July 1972 vol 841 cc52-3W
Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the acceptable level of nitrate content in public water supplies in Great Britain, expressed in milligrams per litre.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

The maximum acceptable level according to the World Health Organisation (European) standards is 100 milligrams per litre as nitrate, equivalent to about four and a half times the level for nitrate nitrogen. The recommended level is not more than 50 milligrams per litre. Water undertakings in this country in meeting their statutory obligation to supply wholesome water have regard to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation, to local circumstances and to the advice of their medical officers of health.