§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he is giving to the introduction of grants to enable people residing near suitable sites to sink wells to extract potable water.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMy right hon. Friend has no plans at present to introduce specific grants for this purpose. Grants are available under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts towards the cost of first-time connections to mains water supplies in rural areas. In addition, part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which is expected to come into force on 1 July 1990, provides for a new system of renovation grants. In certain circumstances, a renovation grant may be available to improve the quality of the water supply to a property which does not have an adequate piped supply of wholesome water and is thereby unfit for human habitation. It will be for the local authority concerned to specify what improvements are necessary and to consider any application for a grant towards their cost.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the quality of drinking water from private wells.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe quality standards in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations made under the Water Act 1989 apply to private drinking water supplies. Local authorities are required to keep themselves informed about the quality of private supplies in their area and have powers under the Water Act to require improvements to be made to unwholesome supplies. An advisory group is currently considering the content of further regulations to be made later this year about the sampling programmes that local authorities will be required to carry out for private supplies.