HC Deb 10 March 1989 vol 148 cc47-8W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in theOfficial Report (a) the volume and (b) the locations in England at which discharges take place into the aquatic environment of (i) ethylene dichloride, (ii) perchloroethylene and (iii) trichloroethylene.

Mr. Moynihan

The information sought is not held centrally. Control of discharges is the responsibility of the regional water authorities.

Mr. Onslow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements to monitor the effects of low winter rainfall have been agreed with the water industry, with special reference to the levels of abstraction from rivers into which there have regularly been discharges of effluent in breach of discharge consent standards.

Mr. Howard

The water industry associations are supplying us with twice-monthly reports on regional rainfall, the state of water resources, measures taken and assessments of the outlook. The Institute of Hydrology with the British Geological Society, and the Meteorological Office, are supplying us with monthly reports. Management of levels of abstraction from rivers which receive effluents is the responsibility of the water authorities within the terms of abstraction licences.