Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 4 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 March 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 March 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 studies (a) have been conducted and (b) are planned to establish the extent of lead contamination in drinking water in (i) hard and (ii) soft water areas. - Inc figure.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what studies (a) have been conducted and (b) are planned to establish the extent of lead contamination in drinking water in (i) hard and (ii) soft water areas. [101678] Mr. Morley: It is well known that soft waters from upland areas are more likely than hard waters to dissolve lead from pipes. All water supplies must comply at consumers' taps with the regulatory standard for lead and water companies must apply additional treatment to plumbosolvent water to ensure compliance. The Drinking Water Regulations require water companies to carry out regular monitoring to ensure that all drinking water supplies, whether hard or soft, comply with the regulatory standards. 99.37 per cent. of samples taken in 2001 met the current standard for lead in England and Wales. The Drinking Water Inspectorate has issued guidance to water companies on optimising treatment to reduce plumbosolvency, which takes into account the different characteristics of hard and soft waters.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 101678; 401 c264W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Contamination Drinking water Lead Standards Water supply Regulation Research
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk