HC Deb 07 February 1990 vol 166 c665W
Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which rivers in Wales do not comply with European Community river quality standards; and what steps are being taken to improve them.

Mr. Grist

There is no EC legislation setting general quality standards for rivers. However, the United Kingdom has designated some 50,000 km of waterways for the purposes of the EC directive "Quality of freshwater needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life" (78/659/EEC). In 1984, a survey which formed the basis of a report to the European Commission and which was undertaken in England and Wales by the former water authorities showed that well over 90 per cent. of these waterways met all the directive's mandatory standards and in Wales only one length of designated river, a tributary of the Rhymney, failed. Another survey which is being conducted in England and Wales by the National Rivers Authority is currently under way and the results will be placed in the Library as soon as they are available. The NRA is now responsible for the control of water pollution in England and Wales and has wide powers to seek improvements in river quality when they may be needed.