HC Deb 18 November 1997 vol 301 c131W
Dr. Whitehead

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has taken on the viability of bacteria and viruses in sea water over time; and what research his Department has conducted into the possible health hazards associated with the persistence of such organisms in coastal waters as a result of the lowering of sewage treatment standards in winter months. [16121]

Angela Eagle

The faster decay of indicator bacteria compared to viruses during sewage treatment and in seawater after discharge is a well recognised phenomenon and is taken into account by the Environment Agency is setting discharge consents. Further research into the viability of viruses has recently been commissioned by the Department, the Environment Agency and the UK water industry. The results will help predictions of the effect of any reduction of sewage treatment during the winter months and assessments of possible health hazards from coastal waters, which are currently regarded as very low.