HC Deb 19 October 1992 vol 212 cc193-5W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, for each region, the water supply zones where the water authorities have assessed that there is a risk of United Kingdom standards for lead in water not always being met stating for each the expected date for compliance; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Hector Monro

The public water supply zones in Scotland where mainland authorities have reported that, after the end of 1991, there was a risk of the United Kingdom standard for lead not always being met and where, consequently, further action was required by the regulations, are listed in the table. The expected date for compliance is also stated where this has been agreed.

In almost half of the 77 zones listed, remedial action has either been taken, or is planned to be taken before the end of this year.

Following earlier improvements by water authorities, statutory random sampling last year indicated that, compared with 1990, samples failing the lead standard dropped from more than 4 per cent. to under 2 per cent. However, compliance with the standard cannot be guaranteed until lead pipes and fittings, mainly within consumers own properties, are removed.

Authority/Supply Zone Expected Date for Compliance or Date Completed
Borders
Cockburnspath 1
Earnscleugh 1994
Hawick—Acreknowe 1
Innerleithen 1993
Oxton 1
Philiphaugh 1992
Selkirk 1
Tweedsmuir 1993
West Linton 1992
Yarrowfeus 1992 (completed)
Central
Alloa 1992 (completed)
Dumfries & Galloway
Castle Douglas 19932
Creetown 19932
Landheads 19932
Langholm 19932
Moffat 19932
New Abbey 19932
Newton Stewart 19932
Palnure 19932

Authority/Supply Zone Expected Date for Compliance or Date Completed
Sanquhar 19932
Fife
Newburgh 1992 (completed)
Grampian
Aboyne 1992 (completed)
Airyhall, Aberdeen 1
Ballater 3
Banff 1992 (completed)
Craigie East, Aberdeen 1
Dufftown 1993
Forres 1992 (completed)
Mannofield South, Aberdeen 1
New Pitsligo 3
Tomintoul 1992 (completed)
Highland—assessment not yet available
Lothian
Alnwickhill—Joppa 1991 (completed)
Alnwickhill—Leith 1991 (completed)
Alnwickhill—Newington 1991 (completed)
Alnwickhill—Portobello 1991 (completed)
Chalkieside 1991 (completed)
Deans 1992 (completed)
Dechmont Law 1992 (completed)
Eastcraigs 1992 (completed)
Fairmilehead Direct 1991 (completed)
Firhill Mid 1991 (completed)
Firhill North 1991 (completed)
Firhill South 1991 (completed)
Firhill West 1991 (completed)
Humbie 1992 (completed)
Kinleith 19953
Marchbank/Harlaw 19953
Rosebery East 3
Rosebery West 3
Turduff 19953
Tayside
Aberfeldy 19963
Acharn 19963
Balnaguard 19963
Benachally 19963
Camserney and Weem 19963
Clash 19963
Fearnan 19963
Fingask 19963
Glenfarg 19963
Glenogil 19963
Grandtully 19963
Kenmore 19963
Kinloch Rannoch 19963
Pitagowan and Calvine 19963
Pitlochry 19963
Strathclyde
Ardeer 1992
Barrhead/Auchenback 1993
Crookfur/Newton Mearns 1993
Girvan North 1992
Inverclyde West 3
Irvine 1992
Kilmarnock South 1992
Leven Valley 3
Prestwick 1992
Troon and Kilwinning 1992
Saltcoats/North Stevenston 1992
Whiting Bay 3
1 Further investigation of treatment required.
2 Further assessment of risk to be carried out by the date given.
3 Further information required from water authority.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate, for each region, what investment is needed at 1992 prices to meet the requirement to end dumping of sewage sludge at sea after 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Hector Monro

Only Strathclyde and Lothian regional councils are affected by the ending of sewage sludge dumping at sea. Councils are presently completing reviews of their sludge disposal strategies. At current prices, possible investments associated with the cessation of dumping are estimated by the regional councils at £70 million for Strathclyde and £21 million for Lothian.

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