Quality of water intended for human consumption. Drinking Water Directive

The rapporteur, Mr Collins (PSE, UK), referred to the principles on which drinking water quality in Europe was based, including the conservation of stocks of safe drinking water, the need to prevent any further decline in water quality, the treatment of polluted water and the application of the latest scientific methods in order to satisfy these priority requirements. Among the amendments aimed at reinforcing health and safety parameters the rapporteur mentioned the new standards that had been proposed for reducing the lead and pesticide content of the public water supply, stressing the importance of keeping consumers better informed and promoting greater awareness of the principles of prevention and precaution. Referring to the amendments that had been tabled, Mr Collins was of the general view that the initial proposal was more likely to satisfy the expectations of consumers and citizens in respect of transparency and democracy. Commissioner Bjerregaard stated that she could only take over 35 of the 124 amendments tabled, with 22 of these being acceptable in full and 13 in part.