§ Mr. AlisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will instruct the Environment Agency to study the increase in the variety of fish life which can be supported in the tidal reaches of the River Ouse in North Yorkshire, and publish the results with particular reference to the vicinity of Cawood, since the implementation of required European water quality standards. [11652]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe physical nature of the River Ouse at Cawood is not conducive to sustaining significant fish populations, because of high levels of natural suspended solids and the strong tidal currents which exist.
The Environment Agency is, however, implementing a strategy for improvements in quality to the discharges in the Selby area. One of the aims is to improve dissolved oxygen levels to allow the passage of migratory fish.
§ Mr. AlisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the time scale, under the European urban waste water treatment directive, relating to crude sewage outfalls, which applies to the crude sewage outfalls at present flowing into the River Ouse at(a) Rythen, (b) Wistow and (c) Cawood in North Yorkshire. [11653]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe urban waste water treatment directive requires "appropriate treatment" by 2005 for discharges with effective populations less than 2,000. In the case of Cawood and Wistow sewage treatment works, which discharge to the Ouse, and Rythen, which discharges to the River Wharfe, this is likely to comprise fine screening to remove solids, or possibly primary treatment.
645W
§ Mr. AlisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will instruct the Environment Agency to assess and report on the level of water quality in the River Ouse at Cawood in North Yorkshire and its compliance with(a) the European urban waste water treatment directive and (b) other relevant directives. [11654]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe water quality of the River Ouse at Cawood is class D, "fair". The major influences on existing quality are the River Aire and some direct industrial discharges in the Selby area.
The urban waste water treatment directive applies to sewage discharges, not to the river itself, but is likely to contribute to improvements in water quality once its requirements come into effect in 2000. The Ouse already meets the existing requirements of the EU dangerous substances directive.
§ Mr. AlisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will instruct the Environment Agency to assess the risk, in terms of health and safety, of swimming and water sports on the River Ouse in the vicinity of Cawood, North Yorkshire. [11655]
§ Mr. ClappisonAdvice about the acceptability or otherwise of swimming and water sports on the River Ouse in the vicinity of Cawood, North Yorkshire, is a matter for local public health officials.