Tonight:
9°c
A water bore in the Commons
Paul Waugh23.12.08
The Houses of Parliament are set to get their own freshwater borehole in a bid to end the use of bottled mineral water.
In a boost to the Evening Standard's Water on Tap campaign, Palace of Westminster officials are to go ahead with the plan to cut the carbon footprint of the Commons and the Lords.
Among the green energy options also being considered are a new biomass power station in the cellar of Parliament, tidal turbines on the Thames and the purchase of environmentally friendly electricity from the National Grid.
But radical plans to install a wind turbine and solar panels look unlikely owing to concerns about the impact on the appearance of the buildings.The Commons is reviewing its drinking-water supplies after the Standard's campaign was launched to remove the stigma diners face when asking for tap water in restaurants.
MPs drink 30,000 litres of bottled water provided free during meetings of select committees each year.
Although there are water coolers in the Palace of Westminster, members and their staff have bought some 850,000 litres of bottle water over the past five years from canteens and bars.
The Commons even boasts its own "House of Commons" label, produced by the Hildon company in Broughton, Hampshire. Lorries have clocked up more than 70,000 miles over five years delivering water from there to Westminster.
Reader views (8)
Airports prohibit more than 100ml liquid per person through security. Drinks etc have to be dumped. The campaign should be extended to airports where tap water should be available for passengers, once airside, to re-fill bottles after clearance.
- D. Flemen, Isleworth UK
not all animals are created equal; some are more equal than others
- Guy Fawkes, Under the HOP, UK
Aren't there enough old bores in Westminster already?
- George, London
Typical of MPs to show by bad example, but what can be expected from these hypocritical people, except do as I say not as I do?
The calibre of MPs these days is simply pathetic.
- Ralph, GB
Are there no taps in the Palace of Westminster? What a waste of our money!
- Liz, London
Whats wrong with turning on the tap?
- Dhanraj, Basildon Essex
Of course they're too stupid to use the tap like the rest of us: hope the borehole hits a plague pit - it's our money they're wasting
- Mdj, Leyton, e10 london
perhaps we can all go and pee in it when its dug
- Fly, london
