Vol. 499 No. 2
4 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the total amount of money allocated by his Department in 1998 for capital grants to devolved group water schemes; and the quality criteria which applied to water supplied through those schemes. [2353/99]
Capital allocations to local authorities in 1998 for upgrading existing group water schemes and the development of new schemes amounted to £10.3 million, of which £9.5 million was drawn down by authorities.
The design and technical specification of all group schemes must comply with certain minimum standards determined by my Department and local authorities. This applies to all aspects of the scheme including water abstraction, treatment and disinfection facilities where required, storage, pumping and distribution systems. A scheme may only be approved where the source and the proposed infrastructure, including water filtration or disinfection facilities, are deemed appropriate for the provision of satisfactory drinking water supplies to group members. The annual operational subsidy payable to group schemes is conditional on meeting water quality criteria.
The Minister pointed out that these schemes are approved only where the source is deemed appropriate for the supply of water to a group scheme, but what agency must do the deeming? How many upgradings and new schemes were included in the £9.5 million taken up in 1998?
Standards are set and agreed between the Department and the local authority and both have a say in finalising and accepting them. As to the number of group schemes, this scheme has now been devolved to local authorities and it is their responsibility. The Department is not now responsible for approving individual programmes or projects so we do not have the details but we hope the new computerised management information system being installed in local authorities will provide that information in future. It is a matter for the local authorities.
I want to get to the bottom of this. The Minister said both the Department and local authorities are involved in the assessment of suitability of the source; which is the preponderant influence? Is this a matter where standards are specified by the Department and implemented by the local authority or is the relationship different?
It is as outlined by the Deputy – minimum standards are determined by the Department and the local authority is involved in ensuring they are complied with.
