Quality of water intended for human consumption. Drinking Water Directive

In adopting the recommendation for second reading by Mr Ken COLLINS (PSE, UK) Parliament welcomed the inclusion in the common position of many of Parliaments proposals at first reading. At second reading it tabled amendments providing for restrictive derogations and authorized the Member States to impose more stringent standards than those set out in the directive. Parliament called for the water quality monitoring programmes established by the Member States to be submitted regularly to the appropriate Commission departments which should keep Parliament informed of the situation in the Member States. Water intended for human consumption should also be free from endocrine disrupting chemicals and the catchment areas should be protected, taking full account of the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle. Another amendment required Member States to come forward within five years with a plan to replace lead piping in homes. Member States should also ensure that supplies of clean water for domestic requirements were maintained at all times. Parliament also called for the parametric value for lead to be 25μg/l within five to ten years from the entry into force of the directive. Lastly, it called for the Commission to be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature. �