Parliament to hold water quality inquiry

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee will hear oral evidence next Wednesday as part of an inquiry into water quality.

The inquiry comes in response to moves by the European Commission to place further limits on chemical substances entering the water environment. It follows the committee’s inquiry at the end of last year when it asked for written evidence to be submitted. 

Under the EU Water Framework Directive discharges of substances deemed to “present a significant risk to or via the aquatic environment” must be progressively reduced to a safe level. There are currently 33 chemical listed for control and the European Commission and the European Parliament is considering adding to this list. 

Classifying a number of chemicals as new priority substances has proved controversial due to wide use in pharmaceutical products and the large expense to remove them from wastewater. It is estimated that to install the necessary advanced wastewater and treatment plant in the UK could cost around £27 billion over 20 years. 

The inquiry will discuss a number of issues including what chemicals should be controlled in water discharge, what the acceptable thresholds should be and how these chemicals are currently controlled. 

MPs will hear evidence from water companies, universities, sustainable water lobby groups and the pharmaceutical industry.