HC Deb 13 November 1987 vol 122 c347W
Mr. Allan Roberts

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the results of virological monitoring of bathing waters undertaken by four water authorities in 1986.

Mr. Moynihan

The results were placed in the Library by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning following his reply on 30 April 1986 to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Mr. Couchman) at column186.

Mr. Allan Roberts

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why his Department permits water authorities one bacteriological failure in 12 samples in a bathing season, whereas the EC directive 76/160/EEC allows only one failure in 20 ; whether the Department has notified the European Commission of this relaxation in interpretation of the directive; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moynihan

The bathing season in the United Kingdom runs from about mid-May until the end of September. If samples are taken at fortnightly intervals during this period, as the directive requires, about 12 will be obtained. Consequently, it is not possible to apply the 1 in 20 rule. We have therefore assessed compliance on the basis that where at least 12 samples have been taken and analysed, not more than one of them should fail. The Commission is aware of this interpretation. The monitoring of the quality of the bathing waters falling within the scope of the directive continued during 1987, on this basis.

Mr. Allan Roberts

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the cost to the United Kingdom water industry of meeting the World Health Organisation guidelines for recreational water quality on all designated bathing beaches.

Mr. Moynihan

The basis for United Kingdom policy is the application of directive 76/160/EEC. Application of this directive is an obligation following from the Treaty of Rome, and we have not estimated the cost of applying other standards.

Mr. Allan Roberts

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the likelihood of the European Community demanding tighter standards of bathing water quality that are currently required under directive 76/160/EEC; and what assessment he has made of the cost implications.

Mr. Moynihan

I am not aware of any proposal to change the requirements of directive 76/160/EEC.