Explanatory Memorandum to COM(1975)394 - Quality of water for human consumption (submitted to the Council by the Commission) - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(1975)394 - Quality of water for human consumption (submitted to the Council by the Commission). |
|---|---|
| source | COM(1975)394  |
| date | 22-07-1975 |
While the setting of standards for water intended for human consumption is clearly in keeping with the programme aimed at reducing pollution and nuisances, it should also include an objective evaluation of the threat to human health presented by pollution. 2
Such a task is difficult and contains many unknown quantities.
The Environmental Action Programme, taking account of the uncertainties in the cause-effect relationship in certain parameters, thus states that, in the case of pollutants for which adequate information is available at international level, standards should be fixed before 31 December 1974 (see Action Programme Part II Title I, Chapter 2B).
This directive deals with the establishment of these standards, i.e. the choice of a series of parameters, the numerical values given to them and also the measures relating to the monitoring and supervision of water intended for human consumption.
The average amount of water used per inhabitant per diem differs from one Community country to another; depending on the type of population concerned, it varies from less than 150 litres to more than 500 litres. Industry alone uses very considerable quantities each day. Because of the increase in water requirements, it is necessary to draw on all potential sources of water which can ba processed for human use; in particular, surface waters are increasingly U3ed for this purpose, • and since they often contain non-degradable polluting substances, these waters must be subjected to increasingly elaborate purification processes. The quality of water supplied for human consumption must . therefore be supervised, and levels of toxicity and noxiousness fixed ■ with reference to the most up-to-date scientific knowledge in this field. A draft directive* cn the quality of surface water intended for the production of drinking water, presented by the Commission to the Council, was approved by the Council at its meeting on 7 November 157^*
In analysing the legislation in force in the Member States of the European Communities, one finds a certain number of provisions applicable to drinking water which, although in the same category, are neither comprehensive nor at the same stage of planning and development. The following references summarize the situation in each Member State.
Belgium:
• ■ 2k April 1965 Poyal Decree on drinking vater.
21 May 1973 - Draft decision o? the Commission of Ministers of the Benelux Economic Union regarding the harmonization of legislation on the supply of vater to industrial plant si so*:--to -fcatta gfer\ i*dttktfd*frf4affEhich dfoodstuffe cprodu3Sedv,4rrpudssied\v!”ipackiged or treated.
Denmark:
October 1973 - Danish standards for drinking vater - draft trrr-•t^stingior of vater. Simplified bacteriological examination.
France:
May 1973 ~ Definition of the quality of drinking vater supplied to the public - draft in anticipation of the Community decision - revised
s
edition of the texts of the decrees, orders and circular letters of the years 1961 and 1962 (Ministry of Public Health and Population).
Ireland:
There are no mandatory standards for drinking vater. The WHO European standards for drinking vater are used as guidelines. Each Health Authority is responsible for the standards of the vater supplies under its control. Legislation on the fluoridation of vater (Health Fluoridation of Water Supplies Act I960) is applicable to vater supplies.
Italy: . .
Standards dealing vith the quality of drinking water were approved by the Council for Health on 13 December 1972. Provisional national legislation is based on these standards pending the publication of European standards.
Luxembourg: .
13 November 1S70 - Grand-ducal Regulation on water intended &? dirsjetly bp indirect Iv• for humart' cdk.'s ur/ptlon,
Netherlands: .
. ‘ ' ..... ,
• i960 “ Decree on drinking water. '
1974 - The '‘Health Council' defirieddtfce criteria td be met by* surface waters intended for the production of drinking water.
Federal Republic of Germany:
1961:Low relating to measures aimed at preventing communicable diseases in man (Federal law on epidemics) of 18 July 19ol (EGB1 I, No.
53, p. 1012).
Contents
- , ... . 1975: Regulation concerning drinking water and industrial water
- increase in demand, associated with population growth and new habits and
- II. TECHNICAL ASPECTS
- ixinutf Admissible Con-
- Spot; sampling,-usually only -sihglorBlmpleS, oh the-basis of •
- The size of the population involved and the capacity of the source of supply.should also bo .considered, '
- The Council of the European Communities, '
- ' lU Doc. No. 3SoI/2/74 e
- WHEREAS
- WE2P.EAS
- Doc. No. 3361/2/7V e
- HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE
- ARTICLE 2
- ARTICLE £
- ARTICLE 5 •
- When a Member State intends to make a departure as provided for in
- ARTICLE 8
- ARTICLE 9 •
- 3) a) The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged where they
- ARTICLE 10
- ARTICLE 11 -
- b) Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the
- Table
- ' ANNEX II •
- U - ; Comments on the storage of samples
- STANDARD MODEL ANALYSES
- Doc, 3861/2/74
- Doc. 3861/2/74
- 2 - Frequency of standard analyses
- 3 - SAMPLING
- a) Bacteriological examination
- 4 COMMENTS ON THE STORAGE OF SAMPLES
- DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
- B) Microbiological factors
- Reference methods of analysis
- Turbidity Harmonized standards under study
- Palatability Successive dilutions
- A - 2) PKYSICQ-CHFMCIAL FACTORS
- Atomic absorption
- Flame test
- Flame test
- Absorption spectrophotometry using a specific reagent
- Acidimetry on methyl orange
- Absorption spectrophotometry using a specific reagent
- Absorption spectrophotometry using molybdosilicic acid with or without reduction
- B - MICROBIOLOGICAL FACTORS
- Concentration by filtration on a membrane, -microscopic examination, test of pathogenicity. Macroscopic or microscopic examination
- Official Journal C 112 of 20 December 1973
- a) situations arising from the nature and structure of the ground , in the geographical area from which the source in question emanates, ’
used.in the food processing industry (regulation on drinking water) of 31 January 1975.(BGB1 I,, p.'453). ' ' .
1 . • • ' • : ' ( ■ ' • v , ' f ' . • ';■
1974: Law relating to the reorganization and coordination of ' legislation on standards for food products, tobacco products, cosmetics and other consumer goods (law on the overall reform of standards for food products) of 15 August 1974(LGB1 Part I No. 95, p. 194p).
1959: Regulation concerning the addition of extraneous substances ' in the treatment of■ drinking water (regulation concerning the treatment, of drinking water) of 19 December 1959 (as 'amendeda-bytnin 0 the regulation concerning the treatment of drinking water of 27 June i960 (BGB1 part I, No. 53, p. 479)).
z ‘ , . . .
United Kingdom: ,
, .-.Water Act 1973, Chapter 37.' > . - f ' ' - ■ ■ '
-1969, 4th edition: The Bacteriological Examination of Water Supplies (Department of Health and Social Security, Welsh Off ice,. Minis i-ry of Housing and Local Government).
A study of the complete texts of these documents shows that drinking water standards, although they are similar, have not the same degree of precision or rSterLefiifeS!r&tJ;tm •f*':tthe ■.^fimb&rrStat.esb’Df; the European
Community. Moreover, some provisions are based simply on the European standards of the World Health Organization, and others on a more or les3 comprehensive system of national legislation.
If the parameters selected are classified under six headings -organoleptic factors, physical and chemical factors, biological factors, undesirable and toxic factors, bacteriological and virological factors, and radiological factors, it can be seen that the organoleptic factors are seldom taken into account, and that, as regards the intrinsic nature of the water, i.e. its physical and chemical properties, considerable differences exist between one country and another.
They are, however, almost unanimous as regards toxic substances, although, in general, ' the various regulations do not take account of the results of recent research into the long-term health risks arising from the persistence of certain substances in water.
Koreover; all Member States are concerned to protect the consumer at all costs against microbial contamination. All the regulations place particular emphasis on bacteriological properties; the virological aspects contained in the World Health Organization standards of 1971 are not systematically taken into account.
In the case of radioactivity, the Member States generally refer to the measures recommended by the agencies specializing in this field, especially to the basic standards drawn up in connection with the Surat om Treaty.
It should be noted that several States are taking steps to limit residual additives persisting after treatment of the water.
The discrepancies noted in the national legislations of Member States on the quality of water intended for human consumption are an obstacle to trade . within the Community and thus have a direct bearing on the functioning of the Common Market. It i3 therefore essen-
Doc. Eo. 3£Sj/2/7‘! e
: •; r i •
tial, in the light, of the .EEC Treaty, that the different legislations be harmonized, Such harmonization will else male it possible to complete the projects planned in the European Community's Action Programme on water intended for human consumption, -
• While it is certain that the Standards of the World Health Organization can provide an essential foundation for any national legislation, it must be said that these provisions do not meet present-day require-ment3, particularly as a new era has begin in the definition of standards.
Since the WHO standards were fixed, arid in spite of recent revision, the significance to health tightly attached to the presence of metallic ions in drinking water has .increased considerably and is now much more important than that envisaged when the standards were drafted.
The same remark could be made with reference to other groups of substances, in particular organic and organo-metallic micro-pollutants.
Furthermore, another very important factor is that the properties of the water,available are often altered by tiu: consumer with a view to protecting his domestic supply system. This problem, which was not envisaged by the WHO, has been studied in detail by the competent departments of the Commission. ■ . ■ •
Leaving aside the general use of bacteriological standards, which provide a better safeguard fer the consumer in the immediate future, each Member State has selected vhut appeared to be the best parameters having regard to local conditions. So long a3 the countries remained autonomous as regards water supplies because their own resources were adequate, standardization often only meant finding the solution to a domestic problem. • Today the situation is ■ changed. Because of the .
requirements, former sources are insufficient; surface water must be used. However .,, such water has many uses and the rivers and streams must henceforth cope simultaneously with widely differing requirements including those of navigation, the disposal of industrial and urban refuse, and that of water supplies.
Where international rivers are concerned, it evidently .becomes necessary to compare the measures needed and to coordinate facilities for appraising the situation. This explains the continuous efforts made over the past 20 years to maintain or restore a raw water quality consistent with the production of drinking water. A standardized system of monitoring for each basin was therefore devised and a return to the previous position is extremely unlikely.
Considerable reserves of ground water are now also being drawn on, supplied on a commercial basis and exported to countries of the European Community and also to non-member countries. This is particularly • true of table waters. In recent years, these exchanges have raised questions of a technical, legal and medical nature.
Another important aspect very much in the limelight is the use of softening systems to modify the composition of water supplied to the consumer. The remarkable growth in these systems, due to the pressure of changes made in the methods of satisfying normal demand, is taking place, because of the inadequacy of existing regiilations, in a partial legal vacuum. In view of the equipment and products being used, this question is at present as important, on an international scale, as that of the treatment of ground water in containers made of material of varying stability.
It is therefore not merely the quality of the source water which is at issue, but that of the finished product on which the consumer is directly dependent. This situation requires that existing national regulations, which often refer to the non-mandatory standards of the World Health Organization, should he harmonized and supplemented if necessary by a directive drawn up by the European Communities.
In relation to the international standardization of the quality of water supplies, the World Health Organization and the Commission of the European Communities have powers to define standards, the former only in the form of non-binding recommendations, the latter in the form of mandatory ••odh<5onic'd-with
secondary proble-.s relating to the quality of raw water intended for the production of drinking water, and with prohibitions or limited tolerances referring to the discharge of certain substances resulting from industrial activities or urban sewage. ' .
To sum up, the enactment of this directive is in keeping with general rethinking on the subject of water quality and is intended to reconcile the conflicting needs of productivity on the one hand and public health on the other; these reeds are linked with the necessity to use surface waters which must serve several purposes simultaneously (in particular navigation and the drainage of,Affluent': or -oth^i^rater),
This draft directive sent to the Council deals with the standards applicable to the quality of water intended for human consumption. It also covers drinking water as such and water used in preparing food and in the food manufacturing industry, with the exception of natural mineral waters and medicinal waters, recognized as such, and also of aerated waters. . .
Water intended for human consumption must possess a certain number of properties, shown in the appended tables.
The parameters selected form a coherent whole on the basis of which the properties of water intended for human consumption can be logically defined. Toxic substances and noxious germs are given priority, as shown in the Commission's environmental programme, but they must be integrated with another group of parameters which, while not having the same priority, often condition the behavior and effect of toxic substances and noxious germs. For that reason, in order to view the problem objectively, they must he taken into consideration. Five types of parameter have therefore been shown in the tables appended to the draft directive.
i
The choice of parameters was based on several criteria. They relate to;- - j. virement % • . -
--cssoirilv-l health recfiirotaerlta} ife’1 thi s :-conn?et f on
contritions * (M/lC)*.iwere?i“izecV foric.ll pollutantsand I'ELnimujn Required Con-•■••ecositrations(MRC)** vroro Irid downt-for- calcium, magnesium, hicarbonates, chlorides and sulphates*
- the need to consider special local situations (climate, hydrogeology), and the concern of the responsible authorities to be able to take appropriate action in exceptional circumstancos (natural catastrophe, ’floods) * To this end it io possible to incorporate Exceptional Maximum Admissible Concentrations (EMAC)***
- the wish to improve the quality of vater intended for h'.iman consumption. The Guide Levels (GL)-!ftt#* chosen represent target quality objectives.
It is necessary to define and agree on terminolgy to be used within the Community in order to eliminate the ambiguities of terminologies at present in use both at national and international levels.
♦) (HAG): tie concentration below which a substance in water
cannot, in the course of continuous ingestion, cause or directly or indirectly result in an identifiable effect harmful to health in a statistically representative sample of the population involved.
++) (MFC): the minimum concentration of a substance, the presence of which is essential for preventing the occurrence of identifiable harmful effects in a statistically representative sample of the population involved, either directly or indirectly, as a result of repeated ingestion.
+++) (EMAC): the exceptional maximum admissible concentration which
may be authorized locally by the relevant authorities, either temporarily in view of particular meteorological conditions,
' or permanently in view of geographical or geological conditions.
++++) (GL): the concentratio). of a given'. siEbstdncs in .-wator whidh rbt is qdvisab Hr- not 10. c::s Q 6d ; • r • • ■.
The considerations underlying the choice of the different parameters are based on present scientific knowledge of the effects produced by water pollutants or by substances contained in water on the population in general or on specific population groups (children, aged persons, the sick ...).
This scientific knowledge relates both to the immediate effects and also to the long-term consequences. Since there are still considerable gaps in our knowledge in this area it is necessary to be very cautious in deciding what levels to select.
The updating of technical and scientific knowledge will necessitate a five-yearly revision of these standards. Moreover, a request for a partial revision may be made, either my a Member State or in answer to a proposal from the Commission, particularly with reference to Focceptional Maximum Admissible Concentrations! these must be of a temporary nature.
With reference to the monitoring of these standards, representative sampling and a recognised system of analysis should ensure that meaningful and comparable results are obtained.
which-‘.multiple -tests are carried out, should be abandoned in favour of multiple sampling on which only a few tests, and not all, are based.
The size of the population involved and the capacity of the source of supply.should also bo .considered, '
Moreover, the consumer, in order to ensure his own amenity and to protect his domestic distribution system, sometimes modifies his water supply. Since this modification has an effect on both health and the safety of installations, it is essential that the sampling after rinsing . which is normally practised, should be preceded by an initial sampling of water which has stagnated in the pipework.
There is, therefore, an order of priority among the parameters determining the frequency of sampling and analyses. This order of priority is taken into account in the system of standard analyses already in use in certain Community countries. Three types of analysis, A, B, C of increasing complexity, are selected: (see Annex II) . .
- Analysis A constant monitoring of distribution networks supplied from either
- underground, stable water with the' usual protection perimeters ('analysis Al)
- surface or mixed water (analysis A2)‘. subdivided according to . the size, fofethe -.supply.•: 1,'
- Analysis’.®, regular systematic monitoring, to supplement the monitoring by analysis Al and a2.' whatever the origin of the water.
- Analysis-1! occasional tests in exceptional or accidental, cir
cumstances, complementary to analyses A and B.
The frequency of these standard analyses is determined by two essential factors:
- for analyses Avaad -B, tb.e; capacity of the installation and-the 'Size of the population served,
- for analysis-' C,. the source’'Vdlneh^bilit^ and the hazzards ••
threatening it, regardless of the size of the population served and the .capacity ‘df the installation. •
With reference to the analytical techniques themselves, a number of sampling methods have been suggested which take account both of the most recent technical advances and of conditions found in some laboratories which are not yet adequately equipped.
■ PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON TEE REQUIRED QUALITY , OF DRINKING WATER IN THE MEMBER STATES
HAVING REGARD to the Treaty establishing the European Communities, and in particular Article 100 thereof,
HAVING REGARD to the proposal from the Commission,
HAVING REGARD to the opinion of the European Parliament,
HAVING REGARD to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,
WHEREAS in view of the increasing use of water intended for human consumption, it is necessary to lay down quality standards with which such water must comply,
WHEREAS national legislation relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption differs from one Member State to another, these discrepancies being an obstacle to trade within the Community and therefore having a direct bearing on the functioning of the Common Market,
WHEREAS the Programme of Action of the European Communities on the Environment (l) provides for the setting of standards for toxic chemical substances and for germs which endanger health and are present in water intended for human consumption, and also for the definition of physical, chemical and biological
- parameters corresponding to the different uses of such water
and in particular to drinking water, • .
. 5
1 <
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
Council Directive No of . ' ' . '
on the harmonization of the legislation of Member States relating to the use- and marketing of natural mineral waters lays dovn special rules for such waters, and whereas, furthermore, it 33 necessary to exclude medicinal and aerated waters from the scope of this directive,
the values fixed for certain parameters must he lower than the concentration below which substances in the water cannot, in the course of continuous ingestion , cause or directly or indirectly result in an identifiable effect haimful to health in a statistically representative cample of the population involved (Maximum Admissible Concentration),
the values fixed for certain other parameters must he equal to or greater than the minim-ai concentration in wat. ;r of a substance, the presence of which is essential for preventing the occurrence of identifiable harmful effects in a statistically representative sample of the population involved, either directly or indirectly, as a result of repeated. • ingestion (Minimum Required Concentration)., . ,
values lower than the Guide Level values (the concentration in water of a given substance which should ideally not he exceeded) must he considered to he entirely satisfactory,
in crier to achieve a certain flexibility in the application of this directive, the possibility must he left to Member States to foresee derogations to the present directive to take account of special, specific situations..
WHEREAS
15
1 1
in order fully to attain the objectives relating to quality . and particularly to check thetrue concentrations of the different parameters, it is necessary to provide that Harbor States take the steps required to ensure regular monitoring of the quality of water intended for human consumption,
the technical specifications defined in the annexes to this directive must he rapidly updated to take account of technical progress, and whereas, in order to facilitate the application of the measures necessary for this purpose, provision must be made for a procedure establishing close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission within the Committee responsible for adaptation of this Directive to technical progress, .
APTTCIE 1
This Directive dc-als with the standards which water intended for human consumption must satisfy.
For the purpose of this Directive, water intended for human consumption shall mean water, used for that purpose, either jn its original state or after treatment to modify its physico-chemical'structure," Regardless of origin, private wells and drill-holes in patticular. •It shall include:
- water supplied to the consumer by a public mains system,
- water stored or delivered in bottles or other containers,
- water used for washing containers or in the preparation or preservation of foodstuffs, including ice-creams and the preparation of drinks, aerated or otherwise.
This Directive shall not apply:
a) to mineral waters recognized as such by the Health Authorities in accordance vrith the provisions of the Council Directive on the haarmonisation°^ the laws of the Member States relating to the use and marketing of natural mineral vaters, Directive of ... (+)
b) to medicinal waters recognized as such by the relevant Health Authorities and supplied and used for therapeutic purposes.
(+) OJ No
c) to aerated waters.
' • ‘ . . \
ARTICLE k
1) The Member States shall fix values applicable to water intended for human consumption for all the parameters shown in Annex I.
The values to te fixed may not be greater than the values shown in the Maximum Admissible Concentration columns. They shall be equal to or greater than the values shown in the Minimum Required Concentration columns. ' .
2) With reference to the values given in the Guide Level eoltjmns, the Member States shall fix limits based on those shown in those columnsj any concentration less than that provided for in the Guide Level columns shall be considered to be entirely satisfactory.
3) In interpreting the values shown in columns 3,4,5 of the tables in Annex I3 account shall be taken of any references in column 6v "Comments."
4) The Member States shall take the steps required to ensure that water intended for human consumption conforms to the above values.
l) The Member States may make provision for departures from the terms of this Directive in order to take account of;
1) b) above, it shall inform the Commission accordingly within eight dn.ys of the appearance of the exceptional climatic conditions and '"hall state the reasons and the period involved.
2) The Member States may make provision for Exceptional Maximum Admissible Concentrations where such a possibility is mentioned in the 'Comments' col’unn of Annex I.
By Exceptional Maximum Admissible Concentration is meant the maximum admissible concentration which may be authorized locally by the relevant authorities, either temporarily in view of particular meteorological conditions, or permanently in view of geographical or geological conditions.
3) In no case shall the departures taken by Member States by virtue of this Article exempt them from the conditions imposed for the protection of public health.
.’nTTCLE 6
The Member States shall take all necessary steps to ensure regular monitoring of the quality of water intended for human consumeticn, particularly in order to check the true concentration of the different parameters measured. '
Were such monitoring is based on sampling and analysis, the fre- ; quency of sampling shall be determined by the relevant national authorities; it shall be based on thecapacity of the water supply installation, the size of the population served and on special circumstances such as, in particular, periods of drought or flooding and the risk of epidemics.
For such monitoring, the Member States shall as far as possible use the standard model analyses given in Annex II and the analytical methods shown in Annex III.
ART!CL? 7
Any changes which are necessary in order to adapt the Annexes of this Directive to taka account of scientific and technical progress shall he adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9. .
a) A Committee on the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the Directives on the quality of water intended for human consumption, hereinafter called 'the Committee', is hereby set v.pj it shall consist of representatives of the Member States with a representative of the Commission as Chairman.
b) The Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
1) Where the procedure laid down in this Article is to be followed, matters shall be referred to the Committee by the Chairman, either on his own initiative or at the request of the representative of a Member State.
2) The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft cf the measures to be adopted. The Committee shell deliver its Opinion on the draft within a time limit set by tbs Chairman having regard to the urgency of the matter. Opinions shall be adopted by a majority of Ul votes, the votes of Member States beirg weighted a3 provided in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty. The Chairman shall not vote.
are in accordance with the Opinion of the Committee.
b) Where the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the Opinion of the Committee, or if no Opinion is adopted, the Commission shall without delay propose to the Council the measures to be adopted. The Council shall act by a qualified majority.
c) If, within three months of the proposal 'being subr it ted to it, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall 'be ' adopted "by the Commission.
The Member States shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the application of the measures taken by virtue of this Directive shall in no case have the effect of allowing any further deterioration, directly or indirectly, in the present quality of the waters referred to in this Directive. .
Annexes I, II and III shall form an integral part of this Directive.
ARTICLE 12 ■
a) Member States shell put into force the ]avs, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive and its Annexes within two years of its notification and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive. "
_ 1 - i
ARTICLE 13 .
This Directive is addressed tc the Member States.
| 21 | Dost. No. 3861/2/7U e | ||
| MINXES | |||
| AIII'JEX | I | Tables A to E . | |
| AMEX | II | Standard analyses |
Table
Table
Table
Table
DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
ANNEX I
A Organoleptic factors 3 Physicochemical factors C Biological factors D Undesirable or toxic factors E Microbiological factors
Doc. N° 3861/2/74 e
| PARAMETERS ..... ft | ' EXPRESSION OP THE RESULTS ©' | , .............'■■■' ' 1 ...... 1 1 COMMUNITY VALUES ■ | COMMENTS ‘ | ||
| - Guide Level (G'L.) G ..... | Maximum Admissible Concentration (M.A.C.) ($ | minimum Required Concentration (h.R.C.) (5) | |||
| Colour | Pt units mg/l | 5 | 20 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. | |
| Turbidity | SiO^ degrees mg/l | 5 | 10 | - ■ | or in Jackson Units G.L. 0.1 ■ M.A.C. 0.3 replaced in certain circumstances by a transparency test, with Secchi disc reading in meters indicative values G.L. :6 ' M.A.C. : 2 |
| Odour | dilution rate | 0 | 2 at 12°C 3 at 25°C | relate to palatability tests | |
| Palatability . | dilution rate | 0 | 2 at 12°C 3 at 25°C | relate to odour tests . | |
| Temperature (coolness) | degrees G | 12 | 25 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. |
Doc, N° ^861/2/74
| PARAMETERS CD | EXPRESSION OP THE RESULTS (2) | COMMUNITY VALUES | • - COMMENTS ...... . ©... .......... | ||
| Guide Level (G.L.) . $...... | Maximum Admissible Concentration (M.A.C.) .....(4) . | minimum Required Concentration (m.R.C.) ______________ | |||
| pH | pH Units | 6,5 - 8,5 | 9,5 | 6,00 | pHg^ = 0 (saturation index) |
| Conductivity | yuS/fcm | 400 | 1250 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. corresponding resistivity values in ohms/cm 2500 - 800 | |
| Total mineral content | dry residue mg/l | 1500 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. | ||
| Total hardness | hydroraetric title | 35 | V: | 10 | |
| Calcium | Ca: mg/l | 100 | 10 | ||
| Magnesium | Mg: mg/l . | 30 | 50 | 5 | |
| Sodium | Na: mg/l | v<20 | 100 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. | |
| Potassium | IC: mg/l | <10 | 12 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. | |
| Aluminium , | Al: mg/l | 0,05 | ^ • | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. | |
| Alkali level | CO^H" mg/l | 30 | |||
| Sulphates ....... | SC4~" “s/1 | 5 | 250 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. |
Doc. N° 366V2/74
| PARAMETERS ' (!’• | EXPRESSION ■ OP THE RESULTS (2) | COMMUNITY VALUES | ---| COMMENTS ....... ........ | ||
| Guide Level (G.L.) .....(S)..... | Maximum Admissible Concentration (M.A.C.) /4J | minimum Required Concentration (m.R.C.) . . | |||
| Chlorides | Cl” mg/l | 5 | 200 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. | |
| Niti’ates | NO “ mg/l | 50 | 11.5/1 for'bottled or other water used for mixing babies* bottles possible recourse to E.M.A.C. | ||
| Nitrites | N02“ mg/l | 0,1 | |||
| Ammonia ■ • | KH4+ mg/l | 0,05 | 0,5 | ||
| Kjcldalil Nitrogen | N+ mg/l (excluding N in NO and NO^) | 0,05 | <*>v5 . | ||
| Silica . | Si02 mg/l | 5 mg/l above the natural level | |||
| Substances extractable in chloroforn | dry residue mg/l | 0,1 |
Doc. U° 3861/2/74
| PARAMETERS ...... (?) | EXPRESSION OP THE RESULTS © | COIMUNITY VALUES | ' ' i COMMENTS .... | ||
| Guide Level (G.L.) 6) | Maximum Admissible Concentration (M.A.C.) . 0 . | minimum Required Concentration (m.R.C.) (5> | |||
| Dissolved oxygen | Og- ng/l | 5 | |||
| Oxiilability | 0? mg/l (fitao4) . | 1 | 5 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C, measured when heated and in acid medium | |
| Biochemical Oxygen demand (BOD5> - | Og rag/l | 50^ of initial dissolved oxygen content | |||
| Total carbon (TCC) . . | C Llg/l | ■ | the reason for any increase , in the usual concentration must be investigated . . L ' . " |
Doc, N° 386l/p/74
| PARAMETERS CD | EXPRESSION OP THE RESULTS 0 | COMMUNITY VALUES | COMMENTS | ||
| Guide Level (G.L.) . . G> ....... | Maximum Admissible Concentration (M.A.C.) _ | minimum Required Concentration (m.R.C.) -61 . | |||
| Silver | 'Ag' /H&fl. | 10 | |||
| Arseni3 | As /ug/l | 50 | ' - ■ | ||
| Barium | Ba /ug/l | 100 | Possible recourse to EJYI.A.C, | ||
| Cadmium | Cd /ug/l | 5 | |||
| Cyanides | CN* /ug/l | 50 | |||
| Total chromium | Cr /ug/l | 50 | |||
| Copper ' ” ' t 1 1 | Cu /ug/l ' | Possible recourse to E.BUA.C. 1500 /ug/l : after 16 hrs contact at consumer outlet - | |||
| Fluorine - | P /ug/l | 700 at 1500 | M.A.C* varies according to • average temperature in geographical area concerned | ||
| Iron | Pe /ug/l | 100 | 300 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C. | |
| Mercury | Hg /ug/l | 1 | - | ||
| Manganese | Mn /ug/l | 20 | 50 | possible recourse to E.M.A.C, - - -..... ■ |
Doc, 1T° 3861/2/74
| COMMUNITY VALUES | ||||||
| PARAMETERS CD | EXPRESSION OP THE ' RESULTS ■ | Guide Level (G.L.) a - | Maximum Admissible Concentration (M.A.C.) (4) | minimum Required Concentration (m.R.C.) .. .....J | COMMENTS .......... © ’ .... | |
| Nickel | Ni | /Ug/1 | 5 | 50 | ||
| Phosphorus | P | ^ug/l | 300 | 2000 after isolatioi | t | |
| Lead........ | Fb | /^/l | 50 ‘ | |||
| Hydrogen Sulphide | S~ | yug/i | nill | |||
| Antimony | Sb | ^ug/l | 10 | |||
| Seloniun | Se | /Ug/i | 10 | |||
| Zino | Zn | /us/l | 100 2000 | 2000 after 16 hrs of contact at consumer outlet | ||
| Mineral oils ' | residue /ug/l | 10 ' | ■ | |||
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons | residue /ug/1 / | 0,2 | ||||
| Phenol index | C,H on 6 5 | /Ug/l | 0,5 | - |
Doc. N° 3861/2/74 a
| PARAMETERS ..... | EXPRESSION . OP THE RESULTS ' <§) | COMMUNITY VALUES - | : COMMENTS . ......... | ||
| - Guide Level (G.L*) . &) ...... | Maximum Admissible Concentration (M.A.C.) ...... | minimum Required Concentration (m.R.C.) - . (5) | |||
| Anionic detergents | lauryl sulphate /ug/i | 100 | |||
| Pesticides and related products - TOTAL - SUBSTANCES CONSIDERED SEPARATELY | /W1 | . . 0,1 | By pesticides and associated products is meant: - insecticides: - persistent organdchlorineo compounds - organophosphorus compounds - carbamates - herbicides - fungicides | ||
| Other organo-chlorine compounds | /^c/1 | 1.0 . | .. ... - . . |
Poo, N° 3861/2/74 e
| PARAMETERS | Basic | Supplemen tary | RESULTS volume of the sample in ml | Tap Wc not disinfected M.A.C. | com iter (1) disin fected M.A.C. | JKITY VALUES surfacfi water disinfected M.A.C. | treated water not disinfected M.A.C. | - - ■ ----------------------------—----< BOMMEHTS |
| Total ooliforms | + | 100 ■ | .5 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 (1). | (1) At consumer outlet At catchment On condition that enough samples are analyzed and results are 95ci° uniform ■ Per typo of hacterio^ phage Qualitative research result ..... 1 | |
| Fecal coliforme | + | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | ||
| Fecal streptococci | + | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | ||
| ; 37° | + | 1 | 10 | ■ - | - | 10 (2) | ||
| Total -it 2e- | + | 1 | 100 | mm | 100 (2) | |||
| count 370 | + ' | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 22° | + | 1 | - | 20 | 20 | - ’ | ||
| Clostridium (Sulphite reducing) | + | 20 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 (1) 0 (1) | ||
| Salmonella | + | 5000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Pathogenic ' staphylococci | + | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) |
Poo. m° 3861/2/74 a
| PARAMETERS . 1 • | Basic — | Supplemen tary | RESULTS volume of the sample in ml | ft* Tap wal not disinfected M.A.C. | COMMON] ;er (l) disin fected M.A.C. | [TT VALUES surface water disinfected M.A.C. | treated water not disinfected M.A.C. | COMMITS |
| Fecal Bacteriophages | += | 100 | 0 (4) | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | (l) At consumer outlet | |
| Enteropathogenic viruses | + | 10000 | 0 | . 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | (4) Per type of Bacteriophage | |
| Protozoa | + | - | nil (5) | nil | nil | nil (l) | (5) Qualitative research | |
| Animalcules | + | nil (5) | results |
■ DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
‘ ........... Standard model analyses
1 - Parameters to be considered,
2 - Frequency of standard analyses,
3 - , Sampling,
o
No. 3861/2/71*
1 — Parameters to "be considered
| • * | A Current monitoring of the distribution networks supplied | B Systematic periodic monitor:* ng * upplementary | C Occasional monitoring in special situations or in case of accidents-supplementary to ’ | ||
| V.* | A1 Ground water | A2 Surface or mixed water | to A1 and A2 | A and B | |
| 00 00 | )RCANOLEPTIC FACTORS | Sas&dity Palatability Temperature | 5urSiSity Odour Palatabiiity Temperature | ^i&fudity Odour Palatabiiity Temperature | |
| PHYSICO-CHEMICAL FACTORS | pH Conductivity Total hardness Alkali level Sulphates Chlorides Nitrates Ammonia | pH ' Conductivity Total hardness Alkali level Sulphates Chlorides Nitrates Ammonia | PH . .. Conductivity Total mineral content Total hardness Calcium Magnesium Sodium Potassium Aluminum Alkali level Sulphates ' Chlorides Nitrates/Ammon. Nitrates/Silica | pH ■ Conductivity Total mineral content Total hardness Calcium Magnesium Sodium Potassium Aluminum 1-lkali level Sulphates Chlorides Nitrates/Ammon. Nitrates/Silica |
| A Current monitoring of the distribution net- | B Systematic periodic _ monitoring supplementary to A1 and A2 | r c 1 Occasional monitoring in | ||
| works supplied by | special situations ror | |||
| A1 | A2 | In case of accidents | ||
| Ground water | surface or mixed, water | supplementary to A and B | ||
| BIOLOGICAL FACTODS | Oxidizability | Oxidizability | Dissolved oxygen Oxidizability | Dissolved oxygen Oxidizability Chemical oxygen demand (COD) Bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD ) Total carbon (TOC) Substances extractable in chloroform |
| UlTOESIRABIE OR TOXIC FACTORS | Iron Ilanganese | Iron Itaaganese | Carbon dioxide Fluorine Phosphorus Phenol index .Anionic detergents + others presumed present | All undesirable or toxic factors presumed present |
| liICRUBIOLOGICAL FACTORS | Total coliforns Fecal coliforms Fecal streptococci Total count | Total coliforms Fecal coliforms Fecal streptococci Total count | Total coliforms Fecal coliforms Fecal streptococci Total count Clostridium (sulphite reducing) | Total coliforms . . Fecal coliforms Fecal streptococci Total count Clostridium (sulphite reducing) Sa3monella Pr.chogcnic staphylococci Fecal bacteriophages Viruses - Amoeba Animalcules |
| STANDARD ANALYSIS ' | FREQUENCY | |
| recommended | compulsory | |
| ill . , Current monitoring of distribution networks supplied by ground water | quarterly | six-monthly |
| A2 ' ' ' 4 Current monitoring of distribution networks supplied by surface or mixed water - very limited or only one supply ' . . . (i) with protective perimeter 4 • . . (ii) without protective perimeter 4 - largo supply . - | quarterly monthly daily | six-monthly quarterly weekly |
| B: . . : , ... ' . Systematical periodical monitoring, supplementary to A1 and A2 | six-monthly | annually |
| c . Occasional monitoring in exceptional situations or in case of accident; supplementary to A1, A2 and B • | As required - to be determined by tho competent health authorities |
In order to carry out typical analyses it is necessary to take samples of sufficient quantities of water with equipment designed for this purpose.
Samples of the water should be taken in sterile jars:
- in searching for germs, fecal contamination tests: a sample of 500 cm3 of water
- in searching for salmonella, a sample of 1000 cm3 of water
- in searching for viruses, a sample of 10,000 cm3 of water
b) Chemical examination
- Type A analysis: a sample of 1000 cm3 of water in clean glass or plastic jars
- Type B analysis: a sample of 2000 cm3 of water
- Type C analysis: a sample of 3000 cm3 of water in pyrex type jars with ground stoppers divided as follows:
- 1000 cm3 in searching for toxic or undesirable substances heavy metals)
- 2000 cm3 for an analysis of organoleptic, physico-chemical or biological factors.
a) Generally speaking, samples should preferably be stored by deep freezing
b) In the case of toxic or undesirable substances, it is sometimes necessary, depending on the element being sought, to use preserving agents which will be added to the sample either when it is taken or
in the laboratory.
c) Water samples for microbiological analyses should be taken in sterile jars end kept in a cold temperature (0°C) during the journey to the laboratory. If possible, the analysis should take place immediately on arrival at the laboratory or, at the latest,
48 hours after the sample is taken.
ANNEX III
Reference methods of analysis
A - l) Organoleptic factors A - 2) Physico-chemical factors A - 3) Biological factors A - U) Undesirable or toxic factors
Note
For the parameters indicated by an asterisk, parameters common to water destined for human consumption and to surface waters to be used for the production of drinking water, the analytical reference methods are currently being studied within the framework of the preparation of a directive on analytical methods regarding the quality of surface waters to be used for the production of drinking water.
A - 1 ORGANOLEPTIC FACTORS
Colour *
Odour *
Tested at 12° C or 25° C
Temperature * '
PH
Conductivity Total mineral content
Total hardness Calcium Magnesium Sodium
Potassium
Aluminium
Alkali level
Sulphates
Chlorides
Eitrates
Nitrites
Ammonia
Kjeldahl Nitrogen Silica
Substances extractable in chloroform
'
•
Pessication at 180° C EDTA compleoimetry
' ’
Atomic absorption ' ' '
Atomic absorption •
Atomic absorption after concentration •
. i -
ft • •
•
'
'
*
A - 3) BIOLOGICAL FACTORS
| Dissolved oxygen | * ■ |
| Oxidizability | KKnO^ boiling for 10 minutes in an acid medium |
| Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5) | ' |
| Total organic carbon (TCC) | * |
| A - | - k) UXPS-;IR.'3LE OR TOXIC FACTORS |
| Silver | Atomic absorption |
| Arsenic | * |
| Bari'tm | ' .... |
| Cadium | * |
| Cyanides Total Chromium | * * |
| Copper . Fluorine | ' ■ . ■ . * |
| Iron | * |
| Mercury Manganese Nickel | ' ' . |
| Phosphorus | Absorption spectrophotometry using reduced phosphomolybdic an id |
| Lead | * . |
| Hydrogen sulphide | Absorption spectrophotometry: formation of methylene |
| Antimony | blue Oxidation to Sb^+ Rho&amihe B Absorption spectrophotometry |
| Selenium | ' |
| Zinc | ' |
| Mineral oils and | |
| polycyclic aromatic carbons | * |
| Phenol index | * ' / |
| Anionic ' | |
| detergents | ' |
| Pesticides and | |
| related products | ' |
Total coliform Feed, eoiiform Fecal streptococci Total count Sulphide reducing
Salmonella Pathogenic staphylococci Fecal bacteriophages Enteropathogenic viruses Protozoa
Animalcules (worms - larvae)
*
'
'
*
After heating the sample to 80° C a spore count by:
- seeding in a medium with glucose, sulphite and iron, counting the black-halo colonies
- membrane filtration, deposition of the inverted filter on a medium with glucose, sulphite and iron covered with agar, count of black colonies
- distribution in tubes of differential reinforced clostridial medium, reincculation of the
black tubes in a medium of litmus-treated milk, count according to KPN #
Membrane and culture filtration on a specific medium (e.g. Chapman's hypersaline medium). Guilin's process
Filtration concentration, by flocculation or centrifugation and identification.
Concentration by filtration on a membrane, -microscopic examination, test of pathogenicity. Macroscopic or microscopic examination
COMMENTS: The incubation period is generally 2k to *18 hours except for total cc&nts when it is 18 to 72 hours.
1
2
Health, in this context, is considered in the sense of the WHO definition, ’’health is not merely an absence of illness or infirmity, but also a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being''. .
3
a) situations arising from the nature and structure of the ground , in the geographical area from which the source in question emanates, ’
b) situations arising from exceptional climatic conditions. -
When a Member State intends to make a departure as provided for in
l)a) above, it shall inform the Commission accordingly within two months
stating the reasons therefor.
4
Tho protective perimeter set up on the basis of a geological report is a defined area around a water supply source; spring water, ground water, surface water. A distinction is drawn between:
~ the immediate protective perimeter, which is fenced off and within which all activity is forbidden, and — the cuter protective perimeter within which activity is forbidden or subject to regulation.
'fin the case of supplies drawn directly from a riverf protection is ensured within an approximate zone inside which the discharge of waste water should be avoided or, at least ma$ only be permitted after extra treatment.