§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further resources he has allocated to local authorities to bring standards of drinking water up to EC recommended levels; and when he expects all drinking water to comply with EC standards.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonImprovements to drinking water quality form part of the water and sewerage capital expenditure programme. For 1991–92 programme provision has been set at more than £169 million, rising to £238 million for 1993–94. The figure for 1993–94 is two thirds higher than the provision for 1990–91 and more than double the level for 1988–89. Authorities may also fund additional capital expenditure from revenue.
The EC standards for drinking water have been incorporated into the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990. Almost all drinking water put into public supply and which is not subject to 81W relaxation of specific standards as authorised under the regulations is expected to comply with the EC standards by 1995. Private water supplies which require improvement to comply with the standards are to be the subject of programmes on which it is planned to issue further guidance later this year.