Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The River Nidd regularly overflows with sewage, highlighting the issue of water companies managing current sewage issues without future-proofing. This raises concerns about infrastructure meeting both current and future demand.
In Harrogate and Knaresborough, the River Nidd regularly overflows with sewage. When I visited the Killinghall sewage treatment works last year, a key thing that came to light was that water companies are putting in infrastructure to manage the current sewage issue, rather than future-proofing. What steps will the Minister take to ensure we build sewage works that meet both current and future demand?
The money announced in Ofwat’s final determination before Christmas will create record levels of investment in our water system to do precisely what the hon. Gentleman says, dealing with the current sewage problems while also putting in place the infrastructure to manage and meet future demand.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
North Herefordshire suffers from water pollution, with agriculture being the main source of pollution in the constituency. The questioner requests for a joined-up approach to tackle both sewage and agricultural pollution.
As the Secretary of State knows, North Herefordshire is badly affected by water pollution, with devastating effects for the local economy. He also knows that agricultural pollution, not sewage, is the main problem in my constituency. He did not mention that in his answer, so I respectfully remind him yet again that the Government need to tackle agricultural pollution and sewage pollution in a joined-up way. We know the solutions require farmers, regulators and environmental organisations to take action together. Will the Secretary of State now commit the funding needed to take forward the Wye catchment plan, and will he visit North Herefordshire with me?
The hon. Lady makes an important point. Our farming road map will look at how we can reduce run-off from agriculture, which is a major source of pollution in our waterways. We are looking at how we can move to catchment-based models, including for the Wye, where a great deal of important work has already been done, so that we can more effectively tackle all the sources of pollution that are causing such trouble for our waterways.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment on funding and visit to North Herefordshire
Looking At How We Can Move
Response accuracy