Parliamentary questions
Des McNulty
1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
10 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which agencies are responsible for (a) (i) encouraging and (ii) regulating recycling and (b) minimising waste production.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The National Waste Strategy promotes a partnership approach to achieving sustainable waste management in Scotland. The Executive, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), local authorities, waste industry, community sector, enterprise agencies and t…
10 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what grants or other funds are available to local authorities to encourage kerbside domestic recycling as a way of improving the recycling of paper and plastic and glass bottles.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has identified over £230 million over the next three years in the Strategic Waste Fund for local authorities to implement Area Waste Plans as part of the National Waste Strategy. This will enable local authorities to implement kerbside …
10 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives it has introduced to encourage recycling.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive has set a national target of 25% recycling and composting of municipal waste by 2006. Eleven Area Waste Plans are being prepared which show how waste will be managed over the next 20 years including measures for recycling. The Executive has allo…
9 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it (a) has undertaken and (b) plans to undertake in the Loch Katrine catchment to provide a barrier against contamination of the water supply by cryptosporidium.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The provision of a barrier to minimise the risk of cryptosporidium entering the Glasgow water supply from Loch Katrine is a matter for Scottish Water. The Katrine Water Project being progressed by Scottish Water proposes the introduction of a process consisti…
9 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26591 by Ross Finnie on 24 June 2002, whether it will name the specific methodology used by Scottish Water to measure cryptosporidium in (a) raw water from Loch Katrine and (b) treated water from the new Milngavie water treatment plant.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29505 on 2 October 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk…
9 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the monitored cryptosporidium levels in (a) raw and (b) treated water were at the (i) Balmore and (ii) Blairlinnans water treatment plants in August 2002.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The information requested is given in <I>Cryptosporidium Sampling Results for August 2002</I>, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 24867).
9 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all actions undertaken within the Loch Katrine catchment to improve the quality of raw water that would be delivered to the new Milngavie water treatment plant.
Answer · Ross Finnie: To date, Scottish Water has carried out a number of actions related to raw water quality within the Loch Katrine complex; over and above its normal operating and maintenance regime. In April 2001, the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) was commissioned to ca…
9 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the removal efficiency of the proposed treatment process in the Katrine Water Project is adequate, given the risk of contamination within the Loch Katrine catchment.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The selection of an appropriate treatment process is a matter for Scottish Water. However, Scottish Water has advised that cryptosporidium challenge trials were undertaken on the pilot plant used to test the treatment process proposed for the Katrine Water Pr…
9 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any independent experts support the view that the treatment process proposed in the Katrine Water Project will meet relevant legislative and regulatory requirements in relation to cryptosporidium.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Scottish Water commissioned the Water Research Centre (WRc) to undertake an independent expert review of the treatment process proposed for the Katrine Water Project. WRc concluded that the proposed process would meet the relevant legislative and regulatory r…
9 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what works recommended by the Scottish Agricultural College in its risk assessment study of the Loch Katrine catchment and the aqueducts running from Loch Katrine to the treatment works at Milngavie have been completed.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The risk assessment study carried out by the Scottish Agricultural College was commissioned by Scottish Water and the completion of works recommended by the study is a matter for Scottish Water.<P>Scottish Water has advised that the following recommendations …
9 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what risk analysis has been undertaken of potential contamination sources in the Loch Katrine catchment.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Two studies have been commissioned by Scottish Water:<DIR><DIR><P>1. Loch Katrine Cryptosporidium Risk Assessment, Scottish Agricultural College, April 2001</DIR></DIR><P>2. Katrine Old and New Aqueducts Water Quality Risk Assessment, Babtie Group, September …
9 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29101 by Ross Finnie on 23 September 2002, whether any shortcomings have been identified in relation to Scottish Water meeting the requirements of the cryptosporidium directions.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Following the recent cryptosporidium incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator appointed a consultant to carry out an audit of the implementation of the cryptosporidium directions by Scottish Water. The consultant is due to repo…
8 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum readings of levels of cryptosporidia were in respect of the incidents in (a) Aberdeen, (b) Thurso and (c) one of the aqueducts from Loch Katrine, referred to in paper P1/02 to the public board meeting of Scottish Water on 19 June 2002.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Scottish Water is responsible for monitoring the level of cryptosporidium in public drinking water supplies at risk from the parasite. The Cryptosporidium Directions require any detection of the parasite to be reported to the Drinking Water Quality Unit at th…
8 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29034 by Ross Finnie on 19 September 2002, whether there are any regulatory provisions that currently apply to the notification of a failure in the domestic water distribution system.
Answer · Ross Finnie: There is currently no regulatory provision that requires Scottish Water to notify customers of drinking water quality failures, which occur as a result of the domestic distribution system. However, Scottish Water does notify customers of any failures where th…
8 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recommendations of the Burncrooks Inquiry in respect of maintaining detailed information on the water supply network were implemented in full.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report on the Burncrooks incident is a matter for Scottish Water. However, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator advises that Scottish Water does not yet have full detailed information on its water supply …
8 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when mapping of the reticulated water supply in the Greater Glasgow area will be completed.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Scottish Water to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Held within the Corporate Geographical Information Systems (GIS) systems are maps of the Greater Glasgow area. These maps are constantly being updated,…
8 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland approved the proposed treatment processes for the new water treatment plant at Milngavie.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland does not approve treatment processes used by Scottish Water. The selection of appropriate treatment is a matter for Scottish Water. The Drinking Water Quality Regulator has indicated that in his opinion, based…
8 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the legislative and regulatory requirements are in order to implement the monitoring regime in respect of the operational efficiency of the proposed water treatment plant at Milngavie.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The legislative requirements regarding drinking water quality at the proposed water treatment plant at Milngavie shall be the same as those applied elsewhere in the public water supply system. There is a body of relevant legislation and a list has been deposi…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the public consultations undertaken by Scottish Water and its predecessor organisations since their establishment, indicating for each consultation (a) whether copies of the consultation paper were available (i) online or (ii) in print and (b) when the time period gi…
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Scottish Water to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Scottish Water consults as a matter of course in relation to statutory requirements, for example planning applications, repairs and renewals of infrast…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consultation code required under section 28 of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 has been submitted to ministers and when the code will be made publicly available.
Answer · Ross Finnie: In my response of 5 July 2002 to the member's letter of 31 May about the proposed timetable for the preparation of the consultation code, I explained the process required under section 28 of the above act, before the code was submitted to Scottish ministers.<…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which public or private bodies regularly test Glasgow's drinking water quality and how often these tests check for the prevalence of cryptosporidium oocysts.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Scottish Water regularly checks the quality of all Glasgow's drinking water as required by The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990. Continuous sampling of the water from Milngavie treatment works for cryptosporidium is also carried out un…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when Scottish Water became aware of the species type of cryptosporidium present following the identification of a cryptosporidium contamination of the Mugdock reservoir on 2 August 2002.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Speciation of the cryptosporidium oocysts detected in the water from Mugdock reservoir was carried out by the Scottish Parasitic Diagnostic Laboratory (SPDL) and reported to the Incident Control Team (ICT) on 29 August. Interpretation of the data presented by…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the name is of the methodology used by Scottish Water in measuring and typing cryptosporidium oocysts in drinking water.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The methodology used by Scottish Water to identify and count cryptosporidium oocysts is set out in <I>The Cryptosporidium (Scottish Water) Directions 2002</I> and the associated guidance. These documents are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre (B…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what species typing is undertaken when cryptosporidium oocysts are identified in the Glasgow water supply.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Speciation of cryptosporidium oocysts is highly specialised work and is not routinely undertaken as part of the analysis work carried out on water samples.
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it expects the sewage sludge pipeline from Dalmuir to Daldowie to be operational.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Scottish Water to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The pipeline from Dalmuir to Shieldhall has been tested with sludge since the 20 August 2002. The pipeline became fully operational on the 9 September …
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is currently being considered to address any recurring odour problems relating to Dalmuir waste water treatment works.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Scottish Water to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Odours from the plant have come principally from the interim sludge processing operation, the transport of the sludge cake and from the storm tanks.<P>…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what commitments, and timescales set for their compliance, have been given in respect of the operation of the Dalmuir waste water treatment works.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Scottish Water to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The works achieved discharge compliance on 7 February 2002. This is a measure of the ability of the works to meet the required discharge consent standa…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the peak levels of odours monitored at the Dalmuir waste water treatment works have been in each of the last 12 months.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Scottish Water to respond. His response is as follows: <P>Hydrogen sulphide levels are monitored at the emission stack of the odour treatment plant. The plant started its commissioning process last year but e…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of odour were deemed acceptable in the commercial agreements between West of Scotland Water and Scotia Water for the Dalmuir waste water treatment plant.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Scottish Water to respond. His response is as follows: <P>Permissible levels of odour were determined by the planning authority and incorporated into the planning consent. This requires the works to be design…
18 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial incentives and penalties were included in the commercial agreements between West of Scotland Water and Scotia Water to ensure that certain levels of odour mitigation were achieved at the Dalmuir waste water treatment plant.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Scottish Water to respond. His response is as follows: <P>The project agreement requires measures to be taken to achieve standards of odour treatment. Any failure of this process causing an odour nuisance eve…