§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ground water supplies have been 493W taken out of supply because of excessive nitrate levels in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable totals for each of the previous five years.
§ Mr. GowTen ground water sources were closed temporarily or permanently during 1983 because of high nitrate concentrations. Comparable totals for the previous five years are not available.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions water authorities have notified medical officers of health that nitrate levels in public water supplies exceeded the level of 50 mg per litre since the date when such information was collected centrally in his Department; and if he will indicate the period of time covered by the information which he has.
§ Mr. GowSince January 1983 my Department has asked water authorities each quarter whether they have notified the relevant health authority about supplies which exceeded 50 mg nitrate/litre at any time during that quarter, but has not asked about the number of occasions. Replies show that notification is given, apart from a few instances where the health authority has agreed to a higher figure. During 1983, 82 supplies exceeded 50 mg nitrate/litre at some time.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if there have been any recent indications for further increases in nitrate levels in public water supplies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GowNitrate levels exceeded 50 mg/litre in 64 public water supplies at some time during the first quarter of 1984, the same number as in the comparable quarter of 1983. Overall the levels in those supplies were similar in each year.