Written question asked by Michael Meacher (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 October 1996. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Monday, 14 October 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What substances other than those covered by Schedule 2 of the Water Supply Regulations are tested for in water supplies in each region; and if he will list the date and location of each such test in the last three years.

Answer: Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what substances other than those covered by schedule 2 to the water supply regulations are tested for in water supplies in each region; and if he will list the date and location of each such test in the last three years. [40360] Mr. Clappison: The results of the regulatory monitoring for substances covered by schedule 2 of the regulations are provided annually to the drinking water inspectorate. In each of the last three years, more than 3 million tests have been carried out and the percentage of tests complying with the standards in the regulations has improved from 98.9 in 1993 to 99.5 in 1995. Water companies may carry out additional testing for other substances in the light of local circumstances, generally in relation to incidents affecting or threatening to affect drinking water quality. The information is relevant only to individual incidents, and although held by the inspectorate it could not be collated except at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information