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23 Nov 1994
According to figures published today by the Department of the Environment (DoE) [1] bathing water compliance declined in the following water company regions:
Welsh Southern Thames Anglian Yorkshire
The overall 'improvement' reported by the DoE as 'steady' and 'encouraging' [1] was largely due to an apparent 'improvement' in the North-West region. However, the National Rivers Authority (NRA) told Friends of the Earth today that 'we do not think it is a real improvement in the north-west' [2].
Guy Linley-Adams, Water Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
"It is about time the DoE stopped reading glory and success into figures that show nothing of the sort. Coastal sewage discharges in the UK are still not adequately treated. That is the simple fact."
The Government has already admitted to Friends of the Earth that it will not meet its own target of 1995 for full compliance with the EC Bathing Water Directive [3].
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS: [1] Department of the Environment Press Release 646 17th November 1994. [2] NRA Head Office pers comm 17th November 1994. [3] Friends of the Earth Press Release 16th May 1994.
CONTACT: GUY LINLEY-ADAMS, WATER CAMPAIGNER, 071-566-1685 or NEIL VERLANDER, INFORMATION OFFICER 071-566-1649
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
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