HC Deb 15 January 1986 vol 89 cc571-2W
Mr. Robert C. Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has, for each water authority, on the number of significant sewer collapses in 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85.

Mr. John Patten

The information requested is set out below for English regional water authorities. The Welsh water authority is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Number of significant sewer collapses
1982–3 1983–4 1984–5
Anglian 180 150 *275
North West 690 600 1,000

1982–3 1983–4 1984–5
Northumbrian 185 256 280
Severn-Trent 473 478 n/a
South West 76 300 230
Southern 296 210 260
Thames 360 390 491
Wessex 275 275 280
Yorkshire 1,218 1,225 1,350

*Anglian 1984–85: Higher estimate based on more comprehensive reporting.

A " significant sewer collapse" is defined as any incident involving actual or suspected structural damage to a sewer, which involves excavation or tunnelling. There are some differences in methods of measurements, so particular caution is needed in drawing comparisons between authorities.

Mr. Dixon

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, for each water authority, the total number of properties connected to the sewerage system, the total population connected to the sewerage system and the total population connected to the water supply system.

Mr. John Patten

The information requested is set out below for English regional water authorities. The Welsh water authority is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Water Authorities: Population and Properties Connected
Authority *Properties Population Population connected to water sup ply system
connected to sewerage system
Anglian 1,807 5,192 3,600
North West 2,650 6,878 6,822
Northumbrian 1,006 2,631 1,222
Severn-Trent 3,119 8,173 6,809
South West 531 1,431 1,427
Southern 1,483 3,922 2,047
Thames 4,985 11,489 7,126
Wessex 880 2,378 1,047
Yorkshire 1,755 4,639 4,384

*Source: water authority charges returns

†Source: Water Authorities Association