HC Deb 13 November 1985 vol 86 c166W
Sir Dudley Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will establish a new system for monitoring the nitrate content in water supplies.

Mr. John Patten

The EC directive relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption came into operation last July and established a new system of minimum monitoring frequencies for nitrate in water supplies. All statutory water undertakers now follow this system, and monitor much more frequently when nitrate concentrations are high or start to rise significantly.