§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the compliance of provision of public drinking water supplies in Wales with the 1985 World Health Organisation guidelines on drinking water quality. [40520]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe national standards for public drinking water supplies are prescribed by the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989, SI 1989 No. 1147. These incorporate the standards of the EC Drinking Water Directive, 80/778/EEC, which in turn are based in many cases on the 1984 World Health Organisation guidelines for drinking water quality. Information on compliance in Wales with the regulations is contained in the annual reports published by the chief inspector of the drinking water inspectorate, copies of which are held in the Library of the House.