HC Deb 08 February 1982 vol 17 cc261-2W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the total production, in gallons, for the last five years of each reservoir in Wales;

(2) what is the total amount of water produced in Wales.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

There are 104 direct supply and river regulating reservoirs owned by water authorities in Wales. The total reliable annual yield of surface water sources in Wales, predominately reservoirs, is approximately 538,000 million gallons. Abstraction licences under the Water Resources Act 1963 permit up to approximately 259,000 million gallons to be abstracted annually in Wales for water supply. There has been no significant change in the preceding figures over the last five years. In 1980, the total amount of water supplied to consumers from sources in Wales was 179,531 million gallons.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the average cost of water for industrial users in Wales over the last five years.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The average of the Welsh water authority's water supply charges to metered consumers for the financial years 1977–78 to 1981–82 is 77.28p per thousand gallons. Since 1979–80 a standing charge, variable according to meter size, has also been made in respect of each supply. No distinction is made between industrial and other metered consumers.