Earl Baldwin of Bewdleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether water fluoridation schemes in the United Kingdom have been and will in future be subject to environmental impact assessment under European Council Directive 85/337/EEC, since almost all of the hexafluorosilicic acid used for this purpose finds its way into the environment; and if not, why not. [HL1608]
§ Lord WhittyEnvironmental impact assessment is required for projects listed in the annexes to Directive 85/337/EEC (as amended by Directive 97/11/EC) where they are likely to have a signficant effect on the environment. Water fluoridation schemes are not listed and so are not subject to EIA under the directive. Water 19WA companies add hexafluorosilicic acid at water treatment works at very low concentrations and also have to comply with standards for fluoride in drinking water specified in the relevant European and domestic legislation. The Environment Agency has developed operational environmental quality standards for fluoride for the protection of the aquatic environment.