HC Deb 11 November 1998 vol 319 cc190-1W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the different sources of drinking water used in the United Kingdom; and what proportion each source contributes to the annual water supply. [58841]

Mr. Meale

In England and Wales about one third of drinking water is taken from groundwater sources; one third from upland surface water sources, such as reservoirs, lakes, impoundments and streams; and one third from lowland river sources, direct, or via short term bankside storage or long term storage reservoirs. There are, however, considerable variations in these proportions across the country. The position in Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.

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