§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to whether the nitrate levels in the River Ouse in Bedfordshire have at any time exceeded 11.3 mg per litre.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe readily available information, which relates to the River Ouse at Bedford, is as follows:
Year ending 31 March Number of days level of nitrogen as nitrate exceeded 11.3 mg/litre 1979 85 1980 7 1981 0 1982 9 1983 52 April 1983 to December 1983 32 This water is blended with other water which reduces the nitrate content before it is put into supply.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is Her Majesty's Government's policy to the new European Community rules prescribing maximum acceptable concentrations of nitrates in drinking water at 11.3 mg per litre compared with 22.6 laid down by the World Health Organisation; and if he is satisfied that the level proposed by the European Community will not constitute a hazard to public health.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe EC directive on quality of water intended for human consumption sets a maximum admissible concentration for water supplies of 11.3 mg of nitrogen as nitrate per litre, but allows this to be exceeded in particular situations if the competent national authority is satisfied that there is no public health risk. The WHO has set guidelines which state that levels up to 11.3 mg are satisfactory and that levels up to 22.6 mg are acceptable provided the medical authorities in the area are informed, to encourage monitoring for signs of infantile methaemoglobinaemia. These guidelines are accepted and followed148W in the United Kingdom. Before the EC directive comes into operation in July 1985, the Government will be carefully considering applications from any statutory water undertaker which has supplies exceeding 11.3 mg/litre, and deciding whether to give derogations provided for in the directive, in the light of the latest medical advice.