§ Mr. Clifford ForsytheTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) water treatment plants and (b) sewage treatment plants are operating in County Antrim. [9914]
§ Mr. MossThe Department of the Environment's Water Executive operates 17 water treatment works and 158 sewage treatment works in County Antrim.
§ Rev. William McCreaTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to improve the water and sewerage systems serving(a) Northern Ireland and (b) Mid Ulster. [10575]
§ Mr. MossThe Water Executive will continue the programme of improvements commenced six years ago to enable it to meet the standards set by EC directives on drinking water quality, urban waste water treatment and bathing waters. New sources of water supply will be developed and refinements made to the water distribution system and sewerage system to make them more effective in dealing with current and future demand for services. On top of the £370 million already spent in the last six years on these objectives throughout Northern Ireland a further £66 million has been committed for the 1996–97 year. In Mid-Ulster planned capital investment over the next five years amounts to £35 million with particular emphasis being placed on strengthening the water supply infrastructure serving the towns of Omagh and Cookstown.