HC Deb 10 April 1989 vol 150 c382W
Mr. Speller

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the Welsh Water Authority's intention to build a sewerage outlet one mile out into the Bristol channel from Swansea; if planning permission has been given; and if he will make a statement on the anticipated environmental effect of raw sewage flooding into the Bristol channel.

Mr. Grist

Welsh water authority has proposals for improving the quality of Swansea bay, which currently fails to meet the standards of the EC bathing water directive. Whilst the provision of a long sea outfall is likely to form part of the improvements, planning approval for which would not be required, details have yet to be finalised.

Sewage discharged to sea is treated through the disinfecting action of salt water, sunlight and waves which together break down the bacteria as effectively as inland treatment. That is why the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution concluded in its 10th report that with well designed sewage outfalls, the discharge of sewage to the sea was not only acceptable but environmentally preferable in many cases to alternative means of disposal.