HC Deb 15 February 1996 vol 271 c659W
Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the costs to the water industry of removing pesticides from water in 1994–95. [14642]

Mr. Clappison

The Director General of Water Services estimates that £200 million was spent on treatment to remove pesticides from drinking water supplies in England and Wales in 1994–95.

Mrs. Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the costs to the water industry of removing(a) nitrates, (b) phosphates and (c) pesticides from water. [14647]

Mr. Clappison

The Director General of Water Services estimates that the costs to the water industry up to 1994–95 of removing nitrates from drinking water supplies in England and Wales is £150 million, and pesticides £600 million. No equivalent estimate is available on the cost of removal of phosphates.