§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the timescale for the full implementation by the United Kingdom of the urban waste water treatment directive. [12489]
§ Mr. Clappison[holding answer 27 January 1997]: Member states are required to implement the urban waste water treatment directive on a phased timetable. The earlier deadlines are the end of 1998 for the provision of sewerage and tertiary treatment for sewage discharges to sensitive areas and for the cessation of disposal of sewage sludge at sea; and the end of 2000 for the provision of both sewerage and the relevant degree of treatment to larger sewage discharges. The final deadline is 31 December 2005 for the provision of both sewerage and the relevant degree of treatment to all other sewage discharges.