Suffolk MP calls for chemical used to clean Paris river to be rolled out across the UK

Performic acid is being used to clean the Seine ahead of the Olympics

Author: David Lynch, PAPublished 14th Mar 2024

Rivers across the UK should be cleaned up with a chemical which is being used to scrub the Seine in Paris of dangerous bugs, Therese Coffey has said.

The Conservative former environment secretary said France was using performic acid (PFA) to clean its capital's river ahead of the Olympics later this year.

Ms Coffey said the chemical is being trialled in just one area of the UK, and urged ministers to roll it out more widely.

"If it is good enough for swimmers to swim in the Seine during the Olympics, surely it is good enough to start using this treatment," she said.

PFA is being used in small amounts to remove harmful bacteria from human waste in the Seine, so the river can be used for swimming events at the Olympics.

Anglian Water has boasted of being the "first water company in the UK to trial PFA chemical disinfection" while cleaning water at beaches in Southwold, a town in Ms Coffey's Suffolk Coastal constituency.

Senior Conservative Ms Coffey told the Commons: "Drinking water is treated with both UV and chlorine before it goes into our taps. It is perfectly safe.

"In terms of water that has gone through water treatment works, it is treated but not necessarily disinfected through use of ultraviolet light, unless it is heading towards designated bathing water.

"France is hosting the Olympics in Paris. The Seine is being treated with a chemical called PFAs.

"There is one place in the country, Southwold, which has that right now.

"But so far Defra and Environment Agency scientists have been reluctant to roll this out.

"I want to ask the minister: If it is good enough for swimmers to swim in the Seine during the Olympics, surely it is good enough to start using this treatment which is cheaper, could be deployed a lot further, right across our country?"

Environment minister Robbie Moore told the Commons: "Actually, I want to reassure her that I am having conversations with officials, not only at the Environment Agency but within Defra itself, on this very issue.

"I am more than happy to meet with her to share her knowledge from when she was in the role at Defra as well."

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