Written question asked by Bill O'Brien (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 January 2005. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 January 2005 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 lead water supply mains and pipes have been replaced since 2000; how many kilometres of water distribution mains have been renovated since 2000 to reduce problems associated with discolouration of water. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many lead water supply mains and pipes have been replaced since 2000; [208879] (2) how many kilometres of water distribution mains have been renovated since 2000 to reduce problems associated with discolouration of water. [208883] Mr. Morley: To deal with water quality problems, including discolouration, water companies renovated 15,460 kilometres of water distribution mains between 2000 and the end of 2003. Water companies no longer have lead water supply mains. They replaced some 314,000 lead communication pipes between 2000 and the end of March 2004. The communication pipe is the water company owned section of pipe which conveys water from the supply main to the curtilage of a consumer's premises where it connects to the consumer's supply pipe.

Secondary information