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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the risk to children of developing (a) E. coli and (b) other serious diseases from water sources in the North West.

The 2025 classification results are expected to be released on 25 November 2025.

Companies use tight process controls including filtration, coagulation, chlorine disinfection, and UV/ozone treatment where appropriate, with operational responses when raw water quality deteriorates. Both raw water sources and final water are frequently monitored and tested to ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016. The acceptable concentration of E.coli is 0/100ml at customers' taps, treatment works, or reservoirs.

The Inspectorate oversees company performance through monitoring results, risk assessments, and event notifications, which drive necessary actions and investment. Our risk assessment team actively reviews water safety planning and operational measures, explicitly considering vulnerable populations including children when assessing and responding to microbial incidents.