§ Mr. BurgonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to prevent water pollution from oil stores. [119203]
§ Mr. MeacherI am today announcing the issue of a consultation paper seeking comments by 12 July on proposals to introduce new controls on water pollution from oil stores in England. I understand that the National Assembly for Wales is considering introducing similar proposals in due course.
Oil-related water pollution incidents in England accounted for 30 per cent. of all water pollution in 1998, mainly due to leaks from unbunded oil storage tanks. It is my intention to introduce new Regulations later this year to reduce the number of such oil-related incidents in England by about a half by the year 2005. This would be achieved by setting design standards for all above ground oil stores and requiring that secondary containment, such as a "bund" (a surrounding wall) or "drip tray" is in place to prevent oil escaping into controlled waters.
Oil pollution of fresh waters has grown in recent years, causing harm to wildlife, damage to our rivers and disruption to water supplies. These proposed new Regulations would be a cost-effective measure that would help to protect the environment.
Those mainly affected by the proposed new Regulations would include anyone storing oil on industrial, commercial, institutional (residential and non-residential) premises. There would be exceptions in certain circumstances, for example, where other controls exist or where the controls would not be cost-effective. Underground oil storage tanks can be regulated by the Environment Agency under the Groundwater Regulations 1998 and it is not considered necessary to introduce further controls.