HC Deb 28 October 1987 vol 121 cc273-4W
Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions the Yorkshire water authority has applied for a change in consent limits in regard to the effluent from one of its works; and on how many occasions such consent has been refused.

Mr. Moynihan

The Department's records of sewage discharge consents do not readily distinguish between limits for new discharges and changes in the limits for existing discharges: the information is available in the register maintained by the water authority.

The Department has granted about 500 consents to the Yorkshire water authority since the present arrangements came into effect in January 1985. No applications have been refused outright, but not all applications are granted in their initial form.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of Yorkshire water authority sewage treatment works in South Yorkshire produces discharges which exceed the required consent limits in more than 5 per cent. of the samples taken; and what action is being taken to reduce pollution from sewage works.

Mr. Moynihan

The information requested is not available in this form. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is conducting inquiries with all water authorities to determine the reasons for the non-compliance of sewage treatment works.