§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what chemical compounds are added to water supplies by water companies; from what sources these compounds are derived; what is the(a) largest, (b) smallest and (c) average dosage added; what powers are available to him in respect of the addition of such compounds to the water supply; and what recent research his Department has (i) undertaken and (ii) evaluated into the environmental impact of increasing the levels of fluoride in water. [132420]
§ Mr. MullinThe Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 provide for approval by the Secretary of State of products, substances and processes used in the provision of public water supplies. The Secretary of State is advised on approvals issues by the Committee on Chemicals and Materials for Use in Public Water Supply. That Committee also considers the impact on the environment of residues from approved chemicals. The584W Secretary of State's list of approved products, which includes all chemicals approved for use in public water supplies, is published annually by the Drinking Water Inspectorate. The list is installed on the inspectorate's website, www.dwi.detr.gov.uk, and includes as a public health protection measure, conditions of approval that limit the maximum dosing concentrations.