Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 22 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 July 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 5 July 2004 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, which UK water treatment works are provided with (a) activated carbon filtration systems, (b) ozone filtration systems and (c) both activated carbon and ozone filtration systems; and where each is located.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which UK water treatment works are provided with (a) activated carbon filtration systems, (b) ozone filtration systems and (c) both activated carbon and ozone filtration systems; and where each is located. [180615] Mr. Morley: Water treatment works in the UK which use either activated carbon filtration, or ozonation, or a combination of both processes are not readily identifiable. Granular activated carbon filtration is a standard part of the treatment process at many of the larger water treatment works in England and Wales, particularly where the raw water is derived from river and other surface water sources. In most cases ozonation may be used, either continuously or intermittently, in combination with the activated carbon filtration. A number of groundwater sources are also treated by activated carbon filtration alone, or ozonation followed by activated carbon filtration, depending on the type of contaminants that need to be removed.

Secondary information