Letter: Consultation over sewage treatment

Sir: Having read Mary Goldring's article (25 March) about privatised utilities, I was surprised to find that, in a year of meticulous research, she failed to uncover the results of a recent Mori poll conducted for Ofwat.

In asserting that 'nobody asks whether we want new water and sewage standards that are sending prices through the roof', Ms Goldring is at odds with the 88 per cent of people interviewed for the poll who considered sewage treatment to EC standards to be either essential or very important.

As the regulator for rivers and coastal waters, the NRA is concerned to have public opinion on its side. Hence the fact that we consult widely over a range of interests and are supported by 30 regional advisory committees, whose meetings members of the public and journalists such as Ms Goldring can attend.

Yours faithfully,

ED GALLAGHER

Chief Executive

National Rivers Authority

London, SE1

26 March