PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
SEWAGE TREATMENT (18 May 1998)

That this House welcomes the conclusions, recommendations and objectives in the Second Report of the House of Commons Committee on the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs on sewage treatment and disposal, which is aimed at improving water quality; calls on the Government to immediately instruct the regulatory body OFWAT and the Environment Agency that the tough guideline bathing water quality standards, as described in the EU Bathing Water Directive, be met at all designated bathing sites and therefore, the financing of these improvements be prioritised ahead of price cuts or increased company profits in the AMP3 periodic review, believes that where it is necessary to fulfil the objective of meeting guideline standards the Government should end the use of high natural dispersion areas as a mechanism for exempting water authorities from the installation of secondary treatment, a basic requirement of the European Waste Water Treatment Directive; and considers that the above measures are essential if the public is to regain confidence in the U.K.'s coastal bathing waters, which are so important to the economic health of its coastal resorts and to eliminate the public health risk.

Sponsored by:
Mr Anthony Wright (Labour)