Written question asked by Barry Field (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 November 1996. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Monday, 11 November 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What size of served population gives rise to a requirement for additional sewerage treatment before the discharge into the sea; and over what period such population figures are calculated. - Inc figs.

Answer: Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what size of served population gives rise to a requirement for additional sewerage treatment before the discharge into the sea; and over what period such population figures are calculated. [2557] Mr. Clappison: Under the urban waste water treatment directive, sewage discharges with a population equivalent greater than 10,000 normally receive secondary treatment before discharge to coastal waters, but if the discharge is into a high natural dispersion area and it can be demonstrated that the environment will not be adversely affected, primary treatment may be sufficient. Population equivalent is a measure of organic biodegradable load. The size of discharge is calculated on the basis of the maximum average weekly load entering treatment plants during a year and excludes the effect of unusual weather conditions.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2557; 285 c3W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Pollution Pollution control Water Sewage Seas and oceans Water treatment
Contains statistics: Yes