§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who is currently responsible for monitoring the quality of tap water supplied by water authorities, and whether he has any proposals to change the current system.
§ Mr. MoynihanMonitoring of public water supplies is currently carried out by the water undertakers. Local authorities also have a duty to monitor the quality of all water supplies within their areas. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is also responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to fulfil the monitoring requirements of the EC directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption. These arrangements are to continue, and will be strengthened and clarified in the forthcoming legislation to privatise the water authorities. In particular, the legislation will contain measures enabling my right hon. Friend to arrange technical assessments of utility company monitoring to ensure compliance with the standards.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list(a) European Economic Community directives which currently affect the water supply and (b) the areas in which discussions are currently taking place on further European Economic Community directives relating to water.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe EC directive relating to the quality of water intended for human comsumption, (80/778/EEC) applies to the quality of water supplies. The EC directive concerning the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water applies to the quality of the raw water and the level of treatment to be applied to it. Discussions are currently in progress on proposals for the protection of the aquatic environment in the following areas:
- (i) on water quality objectives and limit values for discharges of chromium.
- (ii) on procedures for harmonizing the programmes for the reduction and eventual elimination of pollution caused by waste from the titanium dioxide industry.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sanctions operate against water authorities which do not comply with European Economic Community directives.
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§ Mr. MoynihanMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State exercises sufficient control over water authorities to ensure general compliance. Should he consider that an authority was not complying with any directive in particular circumstances, appropriate steps would be taken.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has estimated the cost to water authorities prior to privatisation of complying with all existing European Economic Community directives on water; and whether his Department will assist in meeting this cost.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Department does not grant-aid this type of investment. We are at present discussing these programmes with water authorities as part of the corporate plans round.