§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the Government's policy on the draft water industry specifications for plastic sewage pipes; and what representations they have made on this matter; [45194]
(2) what discussions have taken place between his Department and the water companies on the draft water industry specifications for plastic sewage pipes; [45195]
(3) what representations his Department has received on the draft water industry specifications for plastic sewage pipes; [45196]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]My Department has received 33 letters on the draft water industry specifications for plastic sewage pipes. Such specifications are matters for the sewerage undertakers, and my Department has not commented on them nor had any discussions with the undertakers.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the British Standards Institute will be consulting on Part 1 for a European standard for plastic piping systems for structured wall non-pressure underground drainage and sewerage systems. [45197]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]The European Standard is currently being considered by the European Committee for Standardisation. I understand that it will be distributed for comment later in the year at which point the British Standards Institution will consult relevant parties.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many water companies have been prosecuted for polluting groundwater with sewage for each year since 1990. [45198]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]Environment Agency records show that there have been no such prosecutions.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers the Environment Agency has to prosecute water companies for polluting groundwater with sewage. [45199]
283W
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]It is an offence under section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991 to cause or knowingly permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter or any solid waste matter to enter any controlled waters (including groundwater). The Environment Agency may bring a prosecution for this offence under section 85.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Environment Agency monitors sewage leaking into groundwater. [45200]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]Most data on general groundwater quality are obtained from water companies' and private industrial and agricultural abstractions. The Environment Agency also monitors specific sites where it believes there is potential for pollution but does not monitor specifically for the effects of sewage leakage.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Environment Agency is able to take against jetting contractors who damage sewage pipes with high-pressure water jetting. [45201]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]If pollution were to occur as a result of a contractor damaging sewage pipes, the sewerage undertaker would be liable. Any prosecution by the Environment Agency would be in line with section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991. Enforcement action could be taken against the contractor or the sewerage undertaker depending upon the evidence available.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how his Department measures leakage from small holes in underground sewer pipes. [45202]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]The Department does not measure leakage from sewers. Under section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991, sewerage undertakers are responsible for the effectual drainage of their area and for maintaining their pipework.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the current targets for reduction in leakage from sewer pipes; and how these are measured. [45203]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]No targets have been set in relation to leakage from sewer pipes.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how his Department monitors the effectiveness of the code of practice for removing blockages in sewer pipes which limits the pressure of the cleaning jet. [45204]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]The code of practice for removing blockages in sewer pipes which limits the pressure of the cleaning jet was produced on a voluntary basis by the manufacturers. As such, the Department does not monitor its effectiveness. It would be for the sewerage undertaker to specify compliance with a code of practice in any contract with contractors.
284W
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has conducted into the damage done to thin-walled plastic sewer pipes from the use of high pressure water jets to remove blockages; and what account his Department has taken of the extent to which recent design changes in jets prevent damage to the pipes. [45205]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]My Department has not undertaken any research into this area, which is the responsibility of the sewerage undertakers.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has evaluated into the infiltration of groundwater into sewer pipes and its impact upon the working of the sewer network. [45206]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 June 1998]My Department has not undertaken any research on this issue. I understand that UK Water Industry Research Limited (UKWIR) are carrying out research on behalf of Water UK into infiltration into and exfiltration from sewers, the results of which are expected by April 1999.