§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has on the condition of reservoirs throughout the United Kingdom; and if he will give details;
(2) what are the current requirements for inspecting and ensuring the safety of reservoirs; and if he is satisfied that these are working adequately;
(3) if he will implement the Reservoirs Safety Act 1975.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe current requirements for ensuring the safety of reservoirs stem from the Reservoirs (Safety Provisions) Act 1930. This Act requires that reservoirs are designed, constructed and then inspected 115W throughout their working lives under the supervision of qualified civil engineers drawn from panels of experts set up for that purpose. District and borough councils have recently been reminded of their powers and responsibilities; these include the right to take a reservoir undertaker to court to enforce the provisions of the Act.
My Department has recently written to all district and borough councils in England, asking them to report briefly on the certification of the reservoirs within their areas as required by the 1930 Act. Any decision to implement the 1975 Act would be taken in the light of the replies.