Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2003 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 the total tonnage of sewage sludge dumped in Liverpool Bay was in each of the past 30 years.

Answer: Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total tonnage of sewage sludge dumped in Liverpool Bay was in each of the past 30 years. [140408] Mr. Morley: Under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, the disposal of sewage sludge to surface waters, including coastal waters, has been banned since 31 December 1998. I understand that an estimated total of 40-50 million tonnes was deposited by water companies and predecessor water authorities in the north east Irish Sea/Liverpool Bay in the 30 years up to that date.

Secondary information