【分析解答题】

Research published in May 1993 by theDepartment of theEnvironment, Transport and the RegionsDETR) showed that reducing coastal and river pollution and ensuring a reliable water supply were among the top environmental priorities for the publiC、

All discharges to water in the UK require the consent of the appropriate regulatory authority. InEngland and Wales theEnvironmentAgency’s principal method of controlling water pollution is through the regulation of all effluent discharges, including sewage, into groundwater, and inland and coastal waters. TheAgency maintains public registers containing information about water quality, discharge consents, authorizations and monitoring.Applicants for consents to discharge have the right of appeal if they are dissatisfied with theAgency’s decision; most of these appeals are dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate, an executive agency of theDETR. In Scotland control is the responsibility of the ScottishEnvironment ProtectionAgency (SEPA、, and most appeals are dealt with by the Scottish Office. In Northern Ireland theEnvironment and Heritage Service is responsible for controlling water pollution.
In 1997, there were 4,717 cases inEngland and Wales of discharges exceeding their consented limits, including a number of offences by water companies discharging insufficiently treated sewage. The majority of these breaches did not cause any significant environmental damage. However, theEnvironmentAgency did bring 65 cases to court, of which 61 were successful, resulting in fines ranging from ￡ 440 to ￡ 12,000 and one prison sentence of two months. In Scotland, there were 2,734 pollution incidents in 1997; SEPA、seeks prosecution in all significant cases.
In 1997 and 1998, the Government introduced statutoryEnvironmental Quality StandardsEQSs) for 33 substances in water. The new regulations give legal force for the first time to standards for some of the most dangerous pollutants found in the aquatic environment.
In the UK, 96 percent of the population live in properties connected to a sewer, and sewage treatment works serve over 80 percent of the population. InEngland and Wales, the water industry is committed to an investment programme of some ￡ 11,000 million over ten years for improvements to water quality. Progressively higher treatment standards for industrial waste effluents and new measures to combat pollution from agriculture are expected to bring further improvements in water quality. In Scotland, responsibility for the provision of all water and sewerage services lies with three Water and SewerageAuthorities, covering the north, east and west of the country.