HC Deb 26 July 1993 vol 229 cc704-5W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department is taking to ensure that the incremental benefits of constantly increasing drinking water standards justify the cost to consumers of their implementation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Yeo

Changes to domestic requirements on drinking water are subject to consideration of cost and benefits as a matter of course.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further proposals he expects to bring forward within the EC and by the Government directly to improve further drinking water quality; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Yeo

We are considering the implications of the revised guidelines which are shortly to be published by the World Health Organisation, and will be playing our part in any negotiations initiated by the European Commission on the drinking water directive.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the measures introduced by the Government(a) directly and (b) because of EC directives, to improve drinking water standards since 1979.

Mr. Yeo

The legislative and administrative measures introduced by the Government to improve drinking water standards in England and Wales since 1979 result largely from the implementation of EC directive 80/778/EEC—the drinking water directive. They are as follows:

  • Department of the Environment circular 20/82, dated 19 August 1982;
  • The Water Act 1989 as consolidated by the Water Industry Act 1991;
  • The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 [SI No. 1147], as amended by the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations 1989 and 1991 [SI Nos. 1384 and 1837 respectively]; and,
  • The Private Supplies Regulations 1991 [SI No. 2790].

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used to determine the time scales set for implementation of new drinking water quality standards; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Yeo

The time scales for implementation of any new drinking water quality standards proposed by the European Commission would be negotiated by member states in the Environment Council. Any changes to domestic standards, including dates of implementation, would take into account all relevant factors including the implications for water consumers.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the cost to each water company of the implementation of each of the EC and United Kingdom measures for improving drinking water standards since 1979.

Mr. Yeo

The total capital cost of improving drinking water quality in England and Wales in the period 1989–90 is estimated to be £2 billion, excluding the cost of improvements resulting from renovation of the distribution system. Comparable estimates for the period before 1989 are not available.