§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the presence of carbon tetrachloride in water sources.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryCarbon tetrachloride is a list I substance under directive 76/464/EEC on discharges of dangerous substances, and its concentrations in surface waters near to the point of discharge may not exceed 12 ug/l (annual average). Direct discharges to ground water are banned. There are no specific requirements for carbon tetrachloride in water sources because directive 75/440/EEC on the quality of surface waters abstracted for drinking water does not lay down standards for this substance. However, regulations under the Water Act 1989 require that concentrations in public or private drinking water supplies may not exceed 3 ug/l (annual average).
Carbon tetrachloride is not a common problem in water sources; in the known few occurrences where it has been found in excessive quantities appropriate action has been taken.