§ 22. Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many derogations are currently in force to permit water authorities to have public water supplies with nitrate levels in excess of 50mg; and what estimate he has made of the size of the population receiving public water supplies in the areas concerned.
§ Mr. MoynihanThere are currently 48 supplies with nitrate derogations, serving some 900,000 people. These derogations were granted because the concentrations in the supplies are not a health risk. However, in the light of recent legal advice I have decided that these derogations should be withdrawn. The Government will in due course publish their proposals for limiting nitrate concentrations in water. In the meantime studies are proceeding into solutions to the problem, including water de-nitrification processes and the feasibility of protection zones.
§ 30. Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, following the review of the investment programmes of water authorities to meet the European Economic Community quality of drinking water directive and the discussions being undertaken with them over meeting the standards of the bathing water directive, he will announce a date by which both directives will be fully implemented.
§ Mr. MoynihanI have nothing further to add to my answers to the hon. Member's questions of 2 and 15 December about the EC directive on the quality of drinking water.
The bathing water directive is being implemented. We have identified 391 bathing waters which fall within its scope. These waters are kept under surveillance and reports on quality are made annually to the Commission. Some 60 per cent. of waters so far meet the directive's quality standards and some £70 million a year is now being spent on improvement schemes to bring the remainder up to standard.