# CE2004078EN.01012701.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/127 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/127

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(2004/C 78 E/0129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2565/03

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 August 2003)

Subject:   Residues of hormones, antibiotics and phthalic acid esters in drinking water

Subject:

Drinking water obtained from surface water may contain residues of antibiotics and hormones. In addition, phthalic acid esters may be passed into drinking water from the pipe system.

| 1. | Does the Commission have measurements of the above from the Member States? |
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1.

Does the Commission have measurements of the above from the Member States?

| 2. | Does the Commission plan to introduce limit values for the above? |
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2.

Does the Commission plan to introduce limit values for the above?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 2003)

(6 October 2003)

In the frame of the current Council Directive 80/778/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (1), the substances mentioned by the Honourable Member are neither currently regulated nor monitored.

1

On the basis of the available information, the exact concentrations of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in drinking water and thus the quantities consumed are currently unknown for all the European countries.

In order to have more information about this issue, the Commission launched a study on endocrine disrupters in drinking water. The aim of this study was to provide information on the exposure to endocrine disrupters through water intended for human consumption, using existing data from the various Member States and published studies, and to design and execute a case study to produce a more complete picture of the actual occurrence of endocrine disrupters and the potential exposure of humans to endocrine disrupters through drinking water.

The following EDCs were selected as relevant for drinking water from an assessment of the published literature and a survey of the waterworks of several European countries: synthetic and natural estrogens, alkylphenol, alkylphenol ethoxylates, alkylphenoxy acetic acids, Bisphenol A and organotin compounds.

The main conclusions of this study are:

| — | Efficient drinking water treatment chains are appropriate to avoid drinking water contamination by EDCs (e.g. using ozonation, activated carbon, bank filtration). |
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Efficient drinking water treatment chains are appropriate to avoid drinking water contamination by EDCs (e.g. using ozonation, activated carbon, bank filtration).

| — | Even if the raw water of waterworks is free of EDCs, drinking water/tap water might be contaminated by individual EDCs due to leaching from materials used in waterworks and water pipes. |
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Even if the raw water of waterworks is free of EDCs, drinking water/tap water might be contaminated by individual EDCs due to leaching from materials used in waterworks and water pipes.

| — | Even if the highest concentration of an individual EDC reported for drinking water is considered for the assessment of effects on humans, based on current knowledge, endocrine effects via the consumption of drinking water are very unlikely. |
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Even if the highest concentration of an individual EDC reported for drinking water is considered for the assessment of effects on humans, based on current knowledge, endocrine effects via the consumption of drinking water are very unlikely.

These conclusions and the need to regulate these substances in the drinking water will be discussed in the forthcoming seminar on the Drinking Water Directive (2) organised by the Commission on 27 and 28 October 2003. Detailed information on this seminar may be found at the following internet address: (www.drinkingwaterseminar.org).

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(1)  OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.

1

(2)  Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption, OJ L 330, 5.12.1998.

2

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