§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a progress report on the identification, monitoring and classification of private water supplies in Wales for nitrate.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesLocal authorities are responsible for private water supplies in their areas. Paragraphs 7.7 and 7.8 of Welsh Office circular 68/91 (copies of which are in the Library of the House) specify the timescale for providing me with reports. The information the hon. Gentleman is seeking will not be available centrally until after June 1993.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the surveys that are being carried out to identify the vulnerability of aquifers in Wales;
(2) if he will publish a list of contaminated land sites in Wales which threaten groundwater quality.
144W
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe National Rivers Authority is currently producing a series of groundwater vulnerability maps, which will be based on geological and soil characteristics. These will enhance the N RA's ability to assess the risks from a number of factors, including those arising from contaminated land. In addition the authority routinely monitors groundwater, principally that used for potable supplies.
Surveys of potentially contaminated land have been undertaken on behalf of the Welsh Office and the Welsh Development Agency, the most recent of these in 1987–88. A copy of this survey is available in the Library of the House.