European Drinking Water and Bathing Water Standards

HC Deb 23 April 2001 vol 367 cc80-1W

Mr. Green

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which parts of the United Kingdom have failed to meet European drinking water and bathing water standards since May 1997. [158657]

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

At least 3 million tests are done on public drinking water supplies each year, for a variety of potential contaminants. Since 1997, rates of failure to meet the relevant national standards (which are in some cases more stringent than those required under the EC Drinking Water Directive) have been as follows (figures for 2000 are not yet available).

Percentage
	1997	1998	1999
England and Wales	0.25	0.22	0.18
Scotland	1.70	1.41	0.96
Northern Ireland	1.11	1.14	1.05

In the years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, 57, 56, 47 and 33 UK bathing waters, respectively, failed to meet the relevant mandatory standards set in the EC Bathing Water Directive. Names and locations are included in the 'Bathing Water Directive—Detailed Summary of UK Survey Results' for each year, which have been placed in the Library.