§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the levels of nitrates and nitrites in the water provided for public consumption within each of the Thames water supply districts; whether the levels conform to European Economic Community directive 80/778; if the authority has applied for any deregulations made under article 9 of the European Economic Community directive 80/778; and if he will make statement.
§ Mr. John PattenNitrate and nitrite levels in all areas supplied by Thames water authority are below the limit specified in EEC directive 80/778 except in those areas mentioned in the reply I gave on 14 March, at column 620, in respect of nitrite. The maximum nitrite level reached in any of those areas is 0.35 mg/l. Applications for derogations for those areas have been forwarded to the European Commission under article 20 of the directive with a recommendation that they be approved for a two-year period.