§ Mr. KilfedderTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many drinking water supplies in Northern Ireland do not meet the EC water directive 1980.
§ Mr. NeedhamIn Northern Ireland all persons supplied receive water which complies with the overwhelming majority of the EC drinking water directive—80/778/EEC—standards. There is the potential for non-compliance with the aluminium standard in 39 of the Province's 123 supply zones and a general potential for non-compliance with the iron standard and related turbidity standard in all zones, because of the number of iron mains still in service. A programme of works to ensure full compliance with the directive standards is underway.