andMr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment the implications for Ireland of the proposed EEC directive on the quality of water for human consumption and when it will take effect.
Written Answers. - Water Quality directive.
272.
The proposed EEC directive on the quality of water for human consumption lays down standards for water supplied for drinking purposes and water used by the food and drink industries. The standards in the proposed EEC directive broadly correspond, with certain exceptions, to drinking water standards recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which are already used as guidelines by local authorities in Ireland. The proposed directive contains provisions which allow departures from the EEC standards involved to cater for exceptional geological or climatic conditions and other special circumstances. Accordingly local authorities and public agencies concerned with the enforcement of food and drink standards should be able to ensure compliance with the requirements of the proposed directive.
The EEC Council of Ministers agreed, in principle, on the proposed directive at a meeting on 19 December 1978 but the proposal has not yet been formally adopted by the Council. The proposed directive will require the bringing into force by member states of any laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the directive within two years of the notification of its formal adoption. The position in this country is such that it is expected that administrative arrangements will suffice. The proposed directive will also require member states to ensure that the quality of water intended for human consumption complies with the relevant EEC standards within five years of such notification.