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Water Supply: River Wye

Volume 470: debated on Thursday 24 January 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Severn Trent on the possibility of securing water supply back-up from the River Wye; and if he will make a statement. (180911)

I have not had any such discussions. It is for Severn Trent to consider the need for increasing provision of water in fulfilment of its duties to maintain adequate supplies of water. The company’s plan for meeting demand were set out in its 25-year water resources plans, prepared in 2004. The Environment Agency reported on those plans in ‘Maintaining Water Supply’, which is available from its web site. The plans are to be updated and will be consulted upon later this year.

Additional abstractions to provide a back-up supply of water, whether from the River Wye or another source, would need to be licensed by the Environment Agency in line with the provisions of the Water Resources Act 1991 (as amended).