§ 14. Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in reducing the nitrate levels of public water supplies.
§ Mr. TrippierConsiderable progress has been achieved in recent years in reducing nitrate levels in public water supplies. In addition to finding new nitrate-free sources, water companies have been blending water of high nitrate concentration with water of low nitrate concentration to meet the standard and have been developing de-nitrification treatment processes. Water companies have made undertakings to meet the required standards by these several means progressively over the coming years. All supplies will comply by 1995 at the latest. Those supplies which do not meet the standard in the interim are not considered to endanger health.