§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what levels, by each water authority area, nitrate and lead content vary from those laid down in EEC directives.
§ Mrs. RumboldNitrate levels are within the 50 mg per litre limit set in the EC drinking water directive except in the following areas:
235WAs lead levels vary significantly from house to house depending on a variety of factors including the individual plumbing arrangements in the house, more detailed information is not available.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the cost of bringing (a) nitrate levels and (b) lead levels in drinking water to those stipulated in EEC directives.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe capital cost for nitrate would be about £50 million with £5 million annual running costs. The capital cost of water treatment to reduce lead levels would be £2–£3 million with a similar sum for annual running costs. For the cost of replacing lead pipes in any remaining properties I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Construction, on 28 October 1985, at columns 367–68.