HC Deb 15 April 1993 vol 222 cc676-7W
Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to require water companies to make open to the public any investigative report of a major fault in the water supply which has put water supplies to the public at risk.

Mr. Maclean

The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 require water undertakers to notify the relevant local authority and district health authority of any event which by reason of its effect or likely effect on the water supplied by it gives rise to, or is likely to give rise to, a significant risk to health, and to supply such information relating to the event and its consequences as the authorities may reasonably require.

Directions given under section 202 of the Water Industry Act 1991 require water undertakers to report such events to the Secretary of State. The conclusions of consequent investigations by the drinking water inspectorate are made available to the relevant local authorities and district health, and to any other concerned parties who have expressed an interest.

I have no plans for further legislation.

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