HC Deb 18 May 1994 vol 243 cc463-4W
Mr. Kynoch

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has made with the identification of sensitive areas and high natural dispersion areas in connection with the urban waste water treatment directive; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Hector Monro

The Scottish waters identified as sensitive areas and high natural dispersion areas —HNDAs —in connection with the urban waste water treatment directive are set out in the table.

The general requirement of the directive is that all discharges of urban waste water from a population equivalent of 2,000 or more to freshwaters or estuaries, or 10,000 or more to coastal waters, should receive secondary treatment.

In areas identified as sensitive, more stringent treatment will be required while in HNDAs, the directive permits less stringent treatment—but at least primary treatment. The adequacy of less stringent treatment to prevent adverse effects on the environment requires to be demonstrated by comprehensive studies and confirmed by subsequent monitoring.

A map showing the locations of these areas has been prepared and will be forwarded to the European Commission. It will be made available for public inspection at the offices of the river purification authorities and meanwhile has been placed in the Library of the House.

Sensitive Areas

  • River Almond (Cramond to Whitburn)
  • Forfar Loch/Dean Water
  • South Calder Water/Strathclyde Park Loch

High Natural Dispersion Areas (HNDAs)

  • Eyemouth Coast
  • Firth of Forth
  • Forth Estuary (E)
  • Firth of Tay (E)
  • Angus Coast (South)
  • Angus Coast (North)
  • Kincardine Coast
  • Peterhead Coast
  • Fraserburgh Coast
  • Banff Coast
  • Buckie Coast
  • Moray Firth (Lossiemouth/Burghead)
  • Cromarty Firth (E)
  • Wick Bay
  • Thurso Bay
  • The String, Kirkwall
  • Lerwick Harbour
  • The Minch (Stornoway)
  • Oban Bay
  • Campbeltown Loch
  • 464
  • Inner Firth of Clyde
  • Clyde Coast (Irvine/Ayr)
  • Clyde Coast (Girvan)
  • Inner Solway Firth (E)

Note:

All HNDAs are in coastal waters, except those marked (E), which are in estuaries.