§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the cost of removing(a) pesticides, (b) nitrates and (c) phosphates from water supplies to make them potable, in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97 and (iv) 1997–98; [52546]
(2) what was the cost of removing from water supplies phosphate derived from (a) point sources and (b) diffuse sources to make them potable, in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97 and (iv) 1997–98. [52547]
§ Mr. MeacherThe costs in England and Wales of removing pesticides and nitrates from drinking water for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 are listed. This information is derived from companies' July returns and published annually by Ofwat on CD-ROM, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Information for 1997–98 is not yet available. There is not normally a requirement to remove phosphates from drinking water supplies from(a) point sources and (b) diffuse sources; indeed in some cases phosphates are added to reduce plumbo-solvency.
Expenditure on nitrate and pesticide removal at water treatment works (in millions of pounds, at 1997–98 prices) Year Nitrates Pesticides 1994–95 20 134 1995–96 9 155 1996–97 5 117 Source:
Table 37 July Returns