§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what priority he gives to multi-barrier approaches to protect drinking water quality; and if he will make a statement in respect of hazard assessment critical control points.[11381]
§ Ms BlearsThere is a regulatory requirement for all public water supplies in England and Wales to be treated before entering supply. If the raw water comes from a surface water derived source, the treatment has to be appropriate to the classification of the raw water as specified by the European Community Directive on the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water (75/440/EEC). This could involve a multi-barrier approach.
There are separate regulations relating to Cryptosporidium oocysts in drinking water, which require water companies to carry out risk assessments at all treatment works site. Companies may either install treatment capable of continuously removing particles greater than one micron in diameter or install continuous sampling for Cryptosporidium oocysts at sites considered to be at significant risk.
217WThese regulations are enforced by the Drinking Water Inspectorate on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for the National Assembly for Wales.