asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the number of sites from which raw sewage is at present pumped into our seas and rivers; the locations of such sites; the volume of waste they handle; and if his attention has been drawn to any plans for tertiary treatment plants for these locations.
Written Answers. - Raw Sewage Sites.
133.
While significant progress has been made in providing new and improved sewage disposal arrangements throughout the country, I recognise that there are still areas where additional works and capital investment are needed so as to protect and enhance water quality in our rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
It is a matter for individual local authorities, in the first instance, to ensure that discharges of wastes and sewage effluent do not cause pollution and that appropriate steps are taken to remedy any inadequacies in treatment and disposal systems. I have emphasised to local authorities the need to identify areas affected by such pollution and to develop proposals with appropriate treatment facilities that will eliminate the problem. In addition, I have asked local authorities to examine their existing sewage disposal systems and to ensure that they are operating effectively and are meeting the standards they were designed to meet. I intend that investment in the provision of new and improved sewage treatment and disposal facilities should be maintained at a high level.