Directive 1979/869 - Methods of measurement and frequencies of sampling and analysis of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States - Main contents

official title

 

Legal instrument	Directive
Number legal act	Directive 1979/869
Original proposal	COM(1978)363
CELEX number i	31979L0869

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Council Directive 79/869/EEC of 9 October 1979 concerning the methods of measurement and frequencies of sampling and analysis of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States

Official Journal L 271 , 29/10/1979 P. 0044 - 0053

Greek special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 1 P. 0220

Spanish special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 2 P. 0146

Portuguese special edition Chapter 15 Volume 2 P. 0146

Finnish special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 2 P. 0190

Swedish special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 2 P. 0190

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 9 October 1979 concerning the methods of measurement and frequencies of sampling and analysis of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States (79/869/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 100 and 235 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),

Whereas the programme of action of the European Communities on the environment (4) provides for the standardization or harmonization of the measuring methods used, so as to render the results of pollution measurements in the Community comparable;

Whereas Council Directive 75/440/EEC of 16 June 1975 concerning the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States (5), and in particular Article 5 (2) thereof, provides for adoption of a Community policy regarding the frequency of sampling and analysis of parameters, together with methods of measurement;

Whereas any disparity between the provisions already applicable or in preparation in the various Member States concerning methods of measurement and the frequency of sampling and analysis for each parameter to determine the quality of surface water may create unequal conditions of competition and consequently directly affect the functioning of the common market ; whereas it is therefore necessary to approximate the laws in this field, under Article 100 of the Treaty;

Whereas it seems necessary for this approximation of laws to be accompanied by Community action designed to achieve through more comprehensive legislation one of the objectives of the Community in the sphere of protection of the environment and improvement of the quality of life ; whereas certain specific provisions to this effect should therefore be laid down ; whereas Article 235 of the Treaty should be invoked, as the powers required for this purpose have not been provided by the Treaty;

Whereas, for the analyses carried out in the Member States, it is necessary to fix common reference methods of measurement to determine the values of the parameters defining the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water;

Whereas, for the purpose of monitoring the required quality, it is necessary to take a regular minimum number of samples of surface water in order that the (1)OJ No C 208, 1.9.1978, p. 2. (2)OJ No C 67, 12.3.1979, p. 48. (3)OJ No C 128, 21.5.1979, p. 4. (4)OJ No C 112, 20.12.1973, p. 1. (5)OJ No L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 34.

parameters specified in Annex II to Directive 75/440/EEC may be measured;

Whereas the minimum frequency of sampling and analysis for each parameter should increase in proportion to the volume of water abstracted and the population served ; whereas the frequency should increase with the degree of risk engendered by the deterioration of the quality of the water;

Whereas technical and scientific progress may necessitate the rapid adjustment of some of the requirements defined in Annex I to this Directive, in order to take account, in particular, of alterations in the levels of the parameters specified in Annex II to Directive...

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