§ Mr. HaywardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the levels of impounded water in the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Avon, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire; and if levels are sufficient to avoid restrictions on use during the next three months.
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§ Mr. MoynihanWater undertakers serving these counties consider that impounded water levels are sufficient to avoid restrictions on the use of water this summer unless a drought develops.
§ Mr. HaywardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what statistical information is obtained from water authorities about levels of impounded water stocks; and what information there is as to which water authorities are more than 10 per cent. below levels impounded in early June 1987.
§ Mr. MoynihanLimited information upon rainfall; river flows and reservoir levels, representative of the country as a whole, is collected by my Department throughout the year. If the onset of drought is perceived, detailed information is then collected from all water authorities supplemented by information from the Institute of Hydrology and the British Geological Survey. Information upon impounded water stocks in relation to water stocks in June 1987 is not held centrally.
§ Mr. HaywardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what improvements in impounding water stocks and its distribution have been achieved since 1984.
§ Mr. MoynihanSince 1984 major reservoirs at Colliford in Cornwall and at Grimwith in Yorkshire have been completed. Improvements have also been made to the water distribution system through the investment of over £500 million by water authorities in England.