HC Deb 27 November 1979 vol 974 cc609-10W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on his policy regarding the conservation of water supplies in order to avoid building reservoirs or dams in areas of high environmental quality.

Mr. Fox

Conservation of water supplies is a matter of prime importance to both the Department and the water industry. Water authorities are well aware of the need to ensure that the best use is made of existing resources before expenditure is incurred on developing new ones. Measures aimed at promoting conservation are given high priority and typical examples include the reduction of leakage from water distribution systems and provisions in water byelaws requiring the installation of water saving devices such as dual-flush WC cisterns.