§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new sewage outfalls have been built off the coast in the last 10 years; and how many of these can be regarded as satisfactory.
§ Mr. Giles ShawSince coastal waters are currently uncontrolled I regret that the information centrally held is not complete. However, at least 30 coastal and 16 estuarial outfalls have been constructed by water authorities or their predecessors since 1971; at least 37 of these replace one or more unsatisfactory outfalls to these waters. All such outfalls are regarded as satisfactory although the discharge from one has been discontinued pending improvements to associated treatment works to be carried out shortly.
Many other improvements—including improved treatment—have been introduced to pre-1971 outfalls.