§ Mr. David MartinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made with the study of the best practical environmental option for the disposal of sewage sludge, which the Government, in their response to the third report of the Environment Committee, published in June 1988, asked Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to commission.
§ Mr. TrippierI have today published the report "Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) for the Disposal of Sewage Sludge" produced by the Water Research Centre for Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. Copies have also been placed in the Library of the House.
The report is in two parts. The first describes the methodology for identifying the BPEO for sewage sludge treatment and disposal. The second part consists of an extensive review of actual sludge treatment and disposal techniques.
I would hope that this report will be of interest not only to the water industry in relation to sewage sludge disposal but also in a wider context to all those faced with the task of examining BPEOs.