§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost of removing(a) pesticides and (b) nitrates from drinking water supplies in each of the last five years. [116656]
§ Mr. MullinThe Director General of the Water Services collects this information from each of the licensed water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, via their July Return. The Director General
321Winforms me that capital expenditure to remove nitrates and pesticides from drinking water supplies (in 1998–99 prices) in each of the five years was:
Capital expenditure £ million To remove nitrates from drinking water supplies To remove pesticides from drinking water supplies 1994–95 20 138 1995–96 9 160 1996–97 5 121 1997–98 6 64 1998–99 6 11 Total 46 494 There are also running costs associated with nitrate and pesticide removal but neither the Director General or the Government hold this information.