§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he is making of the effect on drinking water of acidic deposition; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMany water sources are naturally acidic and therefore water undertakers monitor and correct excess acidity as a matter of routine. So the Department has not commissioned any study relating specifically to the effect on drinking water of acidic deposition. But we have commissioned research (to a value of about £1.3 million in 1984–85) into the effects of acid deposition on lakes and streams, and on the natural life there.