To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms the Environment Agency has in place to monitor levels of pollution in (a) the River Severn, (b) public waterways, (c) the sewerage system, (d) Brofiscin Quarry and (e) Maendy Quarry; and what records the agency keeps of the potential sources of pollution. (147899)

The Environment Agency routinely monitors 61 sites within the fresh and estuarine waters of the River Severn. The substances assessed and frequency of monitoring vary between monitoring points. In total the monitoring undertaken covers 134 different substances and parameters.

Many public waterways are included in the Environment Agency's routine monitoring programme. Where possible pollution incidents are identified, depending on severity these are followed up by more detailed investigations.

Water companies are responsible for monitoring the sewerage system. The Environment Agency monitors the quality of discharges from sewage works into the water environment to check compliance with consent requirements.

The Brofiscin and Maendy quarries are in Wales and are therefore a devolved matter.

The Environment Agency keeps a number of records of potential sources of pollution. These include records of consented discharges to surface and groundwaters; waste management licences and authorisations for industrial processes.