Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Thursday, 17 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 November 2005. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 24 November 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Water Supply (Coventry)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the quality of the water supply in Coventry.

Answer: Drinking water is supplied to the constituency of Coventry South by Severn Trent Water. The water supply is made up of two water supply zones for monitoring purposes—the Coventry City Centre and Whitely Zone and the Tile Hill, Balsall Common and Knowle Zone.The independent Drinking Water Inspectorate has scrutinised the results of the 3,812 tests of samples of drinking water collected in these two zones between 1 January and 31 August 2005. I am advised by the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water that all these tests (most taken at consumers kitchen taps) met the very strict European and national drinking water quality standards.Severn Trent Water is required by the health authority to artificially fluoridate drinking water in the constituency of Coventry South. The Drinking Water Inspectorate have advised that tests in 2005 show that the drinking water health standard for fluoride (1.5 mg/l) has not been exceeded and the dental health fluoride dosing target value (1.0 mg/l) has been achieved.

Secondary information