Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in the context of the Environment Agency permitting the removal of the third stage of sewage treatment in the event that the appropriate chemicals are not available as a result of supply chain challenges or the lorry driver shortages, if he will take steps to ensure that people in England do not experience environmental and public health ill-effects from that activity.

A temporary Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) was introduced to enable water and wastewater treatment sites to apply to the Environment Agency (EA) to reduce chemical dosing levels and mitigate any delays resulting from the shortage of haulier drivers. This will expire at the end of the year unless the EA chooses to extend it. It has not been necessary for any water or wastewater company to use the RPS.

Any company planning to make use of this short-term measure must first agree its use with the EA, which will thoroughly check compliance. The EA will continue to monitor discharges and water quality as normal. Compliance with permit limits will also continue to be assessed.