Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 12 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 November 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 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, how many recorded incidents there have been in each year since 1997 of water companies diverting sewage into rivers under section 89 of the Water Resources Act 1991; what the location was; and what the volume of sewage released was in each case; if she will list the incidents under investigation by the Environment Agency relating to cases where water companies have diverted sewage into rivers; what the location was; which water company was involved; and what volume was released in each case; what estimate she has made of the total cost in each of the last five years of cleaning up rivers as a result of incidents where water companies have diverted sewage into rivers.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many recorded incidents there have been in each year since 1997 of water companies diverting sewage into rivers under section 89 of the Water Resources Act 1991; what the location was; and what the volume of sewage released was in each case; [139188] (2) if she will list the incidents under investigation by the Environment Agency relating to cases where water companies have diverted sewage into rivers; what the location was; which water company was involved; and what volume was released in each case; [139189] (3) what estimate she has made of the total cost in each of the last five years of cleaning up rivers as a result of incidents where water companies have diverted sewage into rivers. [139190] Mr. Morley: The information requested is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information