HC Deb 25 April 1991 vol 189 cc490-1W
Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are taken to monitor the levels of benzene in drinking water in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Baldry

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is responsible only for drinking water quality in England. I am, however, answering these questions with the agreement of the Secretary of State for Wales. Drinking water quality in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the respective Secretaries of State.

I am not aware of benzene being found during 1990 in public water supplies in England and Wales.

Benzene is not likely to be found in drinking water except as the result of pollution. If a water company suspected that benzene or other hydrocarbon was present in its supplies it would be required to monitor in accordance with regulation 14 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 and as advised in the publication "Guidance on Safeguarding the Quality of Public Water Supplies" issued by the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office.