Written question asked by Greg Knight (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 April 2005. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 April 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action (a) has been taken in the past two years and (b) is being taken to prevent bacterial discharge into the sea at Sewerby near Bridlington; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action (a) has been taken in the past two years and (b) is being taken to prevent bacterial discharge into the sea at Sewerby near Bridlington; and if she will make a statement. [224115] Mr. Morley: [holding answer 4 April 2005]: Since 2003 investigations have been under way into the impact of the discharge made by Munton's plc into the short sea outfall pipe at Sewerby. These have shown that there are no discharges of human sewage into the outfall, which is owned by the East Riding of Yorkshire council. The indicator organisms found in the discharge are present in the raw materials (grain) brought to the site and the malting process carried out there provides the humid, dark conditions which encourage multiplication. Following discussions between the company, the Environment Agency and the council, it has been agreed that additional treatment, by way of a reed bed system, should be provided to reduce bacterial concentrations and provide storage to balance flows. Discharge of effluent would also be limited to when there is sufficient dilution at the outlet to prevent visual nuisance.

Secondary information