§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what correspondence he has had with Ofwat concerning the non-publication of the condition and grade of critical sewers in(a) Southern Water, (b) North West Water, (c) North Surrey Water, (d) Thames Water, (e) South West Water, (f) South East Water and (g) Mid Southern Water areas following advice to Ofwat by these companies that the information is confidential. 80444]
§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's definition of a critical sewer. [80443]
§ Mr. MealeCritical sewers are those which are either costly or difficult to repair, and/or are important to the performance of the network. The definition is given in the sewerage rehabilitation manual (Water Research Council) adopted by the industry in 1983.
§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give further guidance to Ofwat on developing absolute standards for the sustainability of sewerage networks; and what discussions he has had on this matter with the Director General of Ofwat. [80442]
§ Mr. MealeWe published "Raising the Quality" in September 1998, giving guidance to the Director General of Water Services on the environmental and quality objectives to be achieved by the water industry in England and Wales in 2000 to 2005. Paragraphs 125 to 131 of this document set out the Government's views on the maintenance of water supply and sewerage assets.
This guidance endorses the approach of the Director General, based on the serviceability of assets to customers and to the environment, as the correct framework for considering the financing of asset maintenance in the current periodic review.
The guidance also sets out the Government's view that, in the longer term, it would be appropriate for the Director General to develop absolute standards for the serviceability of water distribution and sewerage networks. We shall discuss with Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Environment Agency the work needed to develop a strategic approach of this sort.
§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the meeting between Water UK and the Local Government80W Association on tackling rat infestation of sewerage networks proposed in his Department's response to the Environment Sub-Committee's report on Sewage Treatment and Disposal has taken place; and if he will make a statement. [80445]
§ Mr. MealeThe first meeting was held in March. The next will be in the Summer when information currently being obtained by Water UK and the Local Government Association will be considered.