44 Mr. Stafford asked the Minister for the Environment the measures which have been taken to comply with EC standards controlling the level of silver entering our public drainage system, having regard to the fact that silver is a pervious metal and a dangerous pollutant and to the fact that fixer chemical is used for the processing of film bromide paper and after development contains silver from the residue of the emulsion.

I am not aware of any EC standards relating specifically to the level of silver entering public drainage systems. Trade effluent discharges containing silver which are made to sewers require licensing by sanitary authorities under section 16 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977. The authorities may impose conditions, including conditions in relation to the method of treatment and the volume and the rate of a discharge, having regard to the nature of the receiving sewage system and general environmental protection considerations.