HC Deb 16 March 2000 vol 346 cc320-1W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many aquifers in England have been polluted to the extent that the water was unfit for human consumption in each year since 1995. [112816]

Mr. Mullin

The Environment Agency does not have evidence that pollution events have led to any major aquifer becoming unsuitable for the supply of water for human consumption since 1995. Water from aquifers is, however, treated by water companies before being put into public supply using disinfection and such other processes as are necessary to comply with the standards for drinking water quality.