COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 04.06.1997 
COM(97) 228 final 
95/0010 (SYN) 
Amended Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
on the Quality of Water Intended for 
Human Consumption 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Pursuant to Article 189 (a) paragraph^ of the EC Treaty, the Commission submits an amended 
Proposal for a Council Directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption. The 
amended proposal takes account of a number of amendments adopted by the European 
Parliament at its December 1996 Plenary Session. 
In general the Commission cannot accept the amendments which are. in its opinion, unworkable, 
or which will make implementation unduly onerous. On the other hand the Commission can 
accept amendments which improve the clarity of the text and which remove any possible areas of 
ambiguity or doubt. The Commission can also accept those amendments which improve still 
further the transparency of proposed Directive. 
Therefore, the Commission can accept amendments 1. 3. 4. 5. 16. 18. 20. 25. 28 to 33, 36. 38. 
40. 42, 48 to 50, and 64 without reservation. These all improve the text, either by including 
sensible and logical additional requirements, or by removing possible areas of misinterpretation, 
or by improving transparency and the level of protection provided. 
In addition the Commission can accept in principle Amendments 6. 10. 17. 19. 26. 39. 44. 45. 
47, 58, 65, and 77. The Commission also accepts the thrust of amendment 121 under certain 
conditions as noted below. 
Commentary on the above amendments accepted in principle follows:-
Amendment 6 concerns the scientific basis of the Proposal. This serves a useful purpose but the 
exact wording needs to be modified to include the Commission's Scientific Committee to 
examine the Toxicity and Ecotoxicity of Chemical Compounds. 
Amendment 10 concerns Endocrine Disruptors. There is indeed rising concern about such 
substances but the text needs to be modified to ensure it encapsulates the full essence of the 
issues. 
Amendments 17, 26 and 47 deal with the proposed exemption for not meeting the standards at 
the tap. The Commission agrees that there is a need to restrict the current exemption to the lead 
parameter and to domestic householders only. However such an important derogation, should not 
be relegated to Note 3 of Annex I Part B, but should instead be mentioned in the body of the 
Articles. Therefore, the Commission cannot agree that Articles 2(2) and 7(3) are deleted, but 
rather amended to reflect the spirit of this change. With respect to amendment 47. the 
Commission cannot accept the second part of the amendment which obliges Member States to 
report to the Commission on the incidence of lead piping in households, and to come forward 
with a plan to replace it. This obligation is inconsistent with the first part of the amendment. 
Amendment 19 concerns Endocrine Disruptors and other harmful substances. The Commission 
does not think it is necessary to mention specifically endocrine disruptors since these are inferred 
and already included in the term "other substances harmful to health". Therefore the wording 
needs to be modified 
Amendment 39 concerns the time limit for Article 18 special circumstances. This could cause 
some difficulties in some Member States, and the Commission would prefer a commitment for a 
review after two years and the opportunity for a possible extension of two years. 
Amendment 44 refers to new scientific evidence and the Commission agrees that new scientific 
evidence must be assessed to ensure that our standards are fully in compliance with current 
scientific thinking. However in view of the 1997 World Health Organisation (WHO) review of 
their Guideline Values this note should refer to all the following parameters:- Trichlorethene: 
Nickel; Nitrate and Nitrite; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): and Trihalomethanes 
(THMs) in respect of Chloroform. 
Amendment 45 refers to note 2 in Annex I, Part B on the Trihalomethane (THM) parameter. 
This is acceptable providing the interim standard is adjusted to 150 micrograms per litre (f.ig/1) 
after 5 years, in accordance with the comments on amendment 121 below. 
Amendment 58 calls for monitoring of the lead parameter to be harmonised, and this seems a 
sensible proposition. Tlie exact wording of this amendment needs to be adjusted to ensure 
consistency with other provisions of the Proposal. 
Amendment 65 refers to protection measures for surface and groundwater resources. Tlie 
Commission can accept this in principle since the context is fully consistent with what the 
Commission has included in the proposed Framework Directive. 
Amendment 77 concerns disinfection, and the obligation to ensure that drinking water is not 
contaminated with disinfection by-products. This amendment can be accepted in principle since 
it is consistent with the need to find a balance between efficient disinfection and the 
contamination of drinking water from disinfection by-products. 
Amendment 121 introduces a total standard for four named Trihalomethanes (THMs) of 80 ug/1 
at the tap, in place of the Commission's proposal of two individual standards at the treatment 
works. Tlie Commission originally expressed an acceptance in principle for amendment 41, but 
the latter fell in the plenary voting in favour of amendment 121. Therefore, the Commission 
accepts the thrust of amendment 121 providing that the parametric value for all four THMs is 
changed to 100 micrograms per litre (ug/1) - instead of 80 ug/1 - to be met after 10 years, with an 
interim standard of 150 micrograms per litre (u.g/1) after 5 years. This would bring measurement 
of the THM parameter into line with many Member State current practices. 
Tlie Commission can accept Amendment 7 in part. Tlie Commission can accept the first part of 
this amendment in full, as it is right that the measures taken should be co-ordinated with the 
Pesticides marketing Directive. However the second parfrof the amendment referring to the ECJ 
mling cannot be accepted since it is not necessary or warranted. 
Tlie Commission cannot accept the remaining amendments, namely 2. 8, 9. 11, 12. 14, 15, 21 to 
24, 27, 34, 35, 37, 43, 46, 51, 52, 53, 61, 73, 87, 91. 92. 118, and 119. Commentary on these 
amendments follows :-
Amendment 2 refers to the "modus vivendi" between Parliament. Council, and the Commission. 
This is an unnecessary reference and adds nothing of substance to the Proposal. Hence it is not 
acceptable. 
Amendments 8 and 9 call for the "guaranteed protection" of catchments from Pesticides and 
Nitrates respectively. Such protection cannot, even with the best will in the world be 
"guaranteed", and such an amendment would be virtually impossible to implement fully. 
Amendment 11 calls for the parametric values to be complied with in all cases at the tap. There 
are several parameters which do not change their value between the treatment works and the tap. 
and where this can be established, it is fair to offer Member States the opportunity to measure 
such parameters at the treatment works. 
Amendments 12 and 34 deal with the regulation of materials in contact with water. Tlie 
Commission accepts that the question of piping materials is highly relevant to the eventual 
quality of drinking water at the tap, but this is primarily a matter for Directive 89/106/EEC - the 
Construction Products Directive. 
Amendment 14 calls for the Commission to update Parliament on the implementation of the 
Directive. This amendment stems from the mistaken impression that the costs of meeting the 
standards, and in particular the lead standard, are to be borne by the Community. These costs are 
to be met by Member States and not the Community, and therefore the Commission is unable to 
support this amendment. 
Amendment 15 requires that failures to meet the standards "must" be investigated, rather than 
"should" be investigated. This is not acceptable since there may be cases where taking remedial 
action is not feasible, and the supply must be closed. This is not really remedial action. 
Therefore, "should" is preferable. 
Amendment 21 calls for Member States inform the Commission of guidelines drawn up to deal 
with the implications of an interruption in the supply ôr a restriction in use. This is not 
acceptable since there would be no benefit to be gained if the Commission was to be infomied of 
the mass of guidelines that may be produced by Member States. 
Amendments 22 to 24 delete the notification procedure which is to be applied when Member 
States choose to introduce more stringent standards, or standards for additional parameters- Tlie 
Commission cannot accept these amendments since the notification procedure is intended to 
ensure that other standards are not used in a manner which could constitute a barrier to trade, and 
hence prejudice the functioning of the internal market. 
Amendment 27 calls for the Commission to be informed of Member States monitoring 
programmes. This is not acceptable since there would be no benefit to be gained if the 
Commission was to be informed about all the monitoring programmes that may be produced by 
Member States. 
Amendment 35 proposes the deletion of the words "so far as this is relevant to the protection of 
human health" from Article 12. Tlie effects of the this deletion would mean that parameters 
which are not relevant to human health could not be altered in the future, as this would be seen 
as a "deterioration". This could, ironically, lead to a reduction in the quality of the water, and 
therefore it cannot be accepted. 
Amendment 37 proposes the deletion of all comitology procedures. Tlie Commission took great 
care in adopting the proposal to ensure that any changes to Annex I - the parameters and 
parametric values- must be through the full legislative procedure involving Parliament. However, 
in the case of Annex II (monitoring) and Annex III (measurement methods), any updating should 
be by Committee. The Commission considers this to be the most efficient way to deal with what 
are essentially technical issues. There will, of course, be a full application of the Plumb - Delors 
procedure. 
Amendments 43 and 51 relate to Endocrine Disruptors. Tlie Commission is very aware that this 
is an area of rising concermjind therefore accepts the call for a study to be carried out to 
determine the need for such a parameter. However, the Commission believes it is premature to 
insert a new parameter for such substances at this stage, and therefore cannot accept these 
amendments. 
Amendment 46 calls for the lead standard of 10 micrograms per litre (mg/1). to be met within 10 
years after entry into force of the Directive. Tlie Commission cannot accept such a timetable. Tlie 
proposed figure is 15 years, and this is based on what the Commission believes to be the best 
balance between the protection of human health, and the economic consequences of achieving 
such a standard. 
Amendment 52 calls for copper to be included in Annex I Part C i.e.: as an indicator parameter. 
Tlie Commission's Scientific Committee has recommended that a parametric value of 2 mg/1 
should be set in order to provide freedom from acute gastrointestinal disturbances, and 
furthermore the WHO will be reviewing their guideline value for copper in 1997. In view of this, 
it is considered that it would be premature to move the parameter to Annex 1 part C or change or 
delete the parametric value. 
Amendment 53 calls for the parameters Tetrachlorethene and Trichlorethene to be replaced by 
one parameter for 5 specified organochlorine compounds with a parametric value of 10 mg/1. 
Tetrachlorethene and Trichlorethene were chosen by the Commission as appropriate parameters 
for the presence of chlorinated solvents, and the parametric values were fixed at 40 and 70 mg/1 
respectively, as advised by the Commission's Scientific Committee and in accordance with the 
World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines. Tlie Commission feels that it would be 
inappropriate to impose anything other than the toxicologically based WHO standards on all 
Member States. However the Commission has asked its scientific Committee for a view on this 
amendment, and when the WHO comes up with its re-evaluation of the guideline value for 
Trichlorethene, the Commission will examine the results and may propose a revised standard, if 
appropriate and necessary. 
Amendments 61 and 92 introduce radioactivity standards into the proposed Directive. Tlie 
Commission cannot accept these amendments, since radioactivity in drinking water is already 
covered under the Euratom Treaty and Council Directive 96/29/Euratom (Basic Safety 
Standards for the health protection for the protection of the health of workers and the general 
public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation). 
Amendment 73 provides an exemption from the Directive for water in closed industrial systems. 
This amendment cannot be accepted since closed industrial systems are already excluded via 
Article 2(1) (b) of the proposal. 
Amendments 87 and 91, propose the addition of Coliforms to Annex I Part A and Annex II 
Table Al. Tlie Commission cannot accept these amendments, but it will examine the need for 
this and other microbiological parameters in both these annexes. 
Amendments 118 and 119 deal the obligation to maintain a supply to domestic consumers at all 
times, without prejudice to the costs of the supply. Tlie Commission cannot accept such 
amendments because they impinge on the subsidiarity principle, and hence the issue is one for 
Member States to deal with. 
1 OJ No L 159, 29.6.96, p 1 
Amended Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
on the Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption 
Commission Proposal Amended Proposal 
Recital 2 
Whereas in keeping with the provision of 
Article 3(b) of the Treaty, whereby any 
action by the Community should not go 
beyond what is necessary to achieve the 
objectives of the Treaty, it is necessary to 
revise the provisions of Directive 
80/778/EEC so as to focus on compliance 
with essential quality and health 
parameters, leaving Member States free to 
add secondary parameters if they see fit; Whereas in keeping with the provision of 
Article 3(b) of the Treaty, whereby any 
action by the Community should not go 
beyond what is necessary to achieve the 
objectives of the Treaty, it is necessary to 
revise the provisions of Directive 
80/778/EEC so as to focus on compliance 
with essential quality and health 
parameters, leaving Member States free to 
add other parameters if they see fit; 
Recital 2a (new) 
Whereas, in compliance with the 
subsidiarity principle. Community action 
must support and supplement action by the 
competent authorities in the Member 
States; 
r 
Recital 
Whereas, in accordance with the principle 
of subsidiarity, the differences in natural 
and socio-economic features of the regions 
in the Union require that most decisions on 
monitoring, analysis, and on the measures 
to be taken to redress failures be taken at a 
local, regional or national level; Whereas, in accordance with the principle 
of subsidiarity, the differences in natural 
and socio-economic features of the regions 
in the Union require that most decisions on 
monitoring, analysis, and on the measures 
to be taken to redress failures be taken at a 
local, regional or national level; in so far 
as the differences do not detract from the 
establishment of the framework of laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions 
laid down by this Directive; 
Recital 4 
Whereas Community standards for 
essential health-related quality parameters 
in water intended for human consumption 
are necessary in order to define the 
minimum environmental quality goals to 
be achieved in connection with other 
Community measures, in order to 
safeguard the sustainable use of water 
intended for human consumption; Whereas Community standards for 
essential and preventive health-related 
quality parameters in water intended for 
human consumption are necessary in order 
to define the minimum goals for a high 
level of environmental protection to be 
achieved in connection with other 
Community measures, in order to 
safeguard and promote the sustainable use 
of water intended for human consumption; 
Recital 4a (new) 
Whereas the standards in Annex I are 
generally based on the World Health 
Organisation's Guidelines for Drinking 
Water Quality, and the advice of the 
Commission's Scientific Committee to 
examine the toxicity and Ecotoxicitv of 
Chemical Compounds. 
Recitals 6a and 6b (new) 
Whereas to enable the quality standards 
for drinking water to be met by the water 
supply undertakings, appropriate water 
protection measures should be applied to 
ensure that surface and groundwater is 
kept clean; 
Whereas the coherence of European water 
policy presupposes a suitable water 
framework directive will be adopted in 
due course 
Recital 8 
Whereas measures are required to meet 
specified values for all directly health-
relevant parameters and for other 
parameters if a deterioration in quality has 
occurred; whereas furthermore such 
measures should not prejudice the 
implementation of Directive 91/414/EEC 
of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of 
plant protection products on the market as 
last amended by Commission Directive 
94/79/EC. Whereas measures are required to meet 
specified values for all directly health-
relevant parameters and for other 
parameters if a deterioration in quality has 
occurred; whereas furthermore such 
measures should be carefully coordinated 
with the implementation of Directive 
91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning 
the placing of plant protection products on 
the market as last amended by 
Commission Directive 94/79/EC. 
} 
Recital 1 la (new) 
Whereas there is no conclusive evidence 
on which to base precautionary 
parameters, yet there is increasing concern 
about the potential impact on humans and 
wildlife of the effects of substances 
harmful to health, which include 
environmental endocrine disaipting 
chemicals; 
Article 1(2) 
2. The objective of the Directive is to 
protect - human health from the adverse 
effects resulting from the contamination of 
water intended for human consumption by 
ensuring that it is wholesome. 2. The objective of the Directive is to 
protect human health from the adverse 
effects resulting from the contamination of 
water intended for human consumption by 
ensuring that it is wholesome and clean. 
Article 2(2) 
Z For the purpose of this Directive, 
"domestic distribution system" shall mean 
all pipe work and fittings which connect a 
consumer's tap to the supply and which, 
according to the relevant national law, are 
not the responsibility of the water supplier. 2. For the purpose of this Directive, 
"domestic distribution system" shall mean 
all pipe work and fittings which connect a 
household or group of households to the 
supply and which, according to the 
relevant national law, are not the 
responsibility of the water supplier. 
Article 3(d) 
(d) 
(d) without prejudice to Article 5(1), 
water intended for human 
consumption from an individual 
source serving 15 or less 
households, unless the water is 
offered for sale. without prejudice to Article 5(1), 
water intended for human 
consumption from an individual 
supply serving 15 or fewer 
households, unless the water is 
offered for sale. 
S> 
Article 4(1) (b) 
(b) is free of pathogenic micro­
organisms and parasites in 
numbers which constitute a 
potential danger to human health. (b) is free of pathogenic micro­
organisms and parasitesa or other 
substances harmful to health, in 
numbers or concentrations which 
constitute a potential danger to 
human health. 
Article 4(2) 
2. Member States shall take all other 
measures necessary to ensure that water 
intended for human consumption meets 
the objective set out in Article 1. 2. Member States shall take all other 
measures necessary, to ensure that water 
intended for human consumption meets 
the objective set out in Article 1. This shall 
include catchment protection measures 
that take full account of the precautionary 
principle and the polluter pavs principle. 
Article 7(2) 
2. For water intended for human 
consumption supplied from a distribution 
network, the parametric values shall be 
complied with as it emerges from at least 
one tap in the consumer's premises. 2. For water intended for human 
consumption supplied from a distribution 
network, the parametric values shall be 
complied with as it emerges from all cold 
water taps, which are representative for 
human consumption. 
Article 7(3) 
3. Member States are deemed to have 
fulfilled their obligations under this Article 
and under Articles 4 and 9(2) where it can 
be established that non-compliance with 
the parametric values set in accordance 
with Article 6(1), (2) and (3) is due to the 
domestic distribution system. 3. Member States are deemed to have 
fulfilled their obligations under this Article 
and under Articles 4 and 9(2) where it can 
be established that non-compliance with 
the parametric value for lead set in 
accordance with Article 6(1), (2) and (3) is 
due to the domestic distribution system. 
Article 8(1) 
1. Member States shall take all 
measures necessary to ensure regular, 
representative monitoring of the quality of 
water intended for human consumption, in 
order to check whether the water available 
to consumers meets the requirements of 
this Directive. In addition, Member States 
shall take all measures necessary to ensure 
that, where disinfection forms part of the 
preparation of water intended for human 
consumption, the efficiency of the 
disinfection treatment applied is verified. I. Member States shall take all 
measures necessary to ensure regular, 
representative monitoring of the quality of 
water intended for human consumption, in 
order to check whether the water available 
to consumers meets the requirements of 
this Directive. In addition, Member States 
shall take all measures necessary to ensure 
that, where disinfection forms part of the 
preparation of water intended for human 
consumption, the efficiency of the 
disinfection treatment applied is verified 
and that there is no unnecessary 
contamination from disinfection by­
products. 
Article 8(3) 
3. The sampling points shall be 
determined by the competent authorities. 3. The sampling points shall be 
determined by the competent authorities,, 
without prejudice to Article 7(2). 
Article 8(6) 
6. The Commission shall review at 
regular intervals the reference methods of 
analysis specified in Annex III. least The Commission shall review at 
every three years the reference 
methods of analysis specified in Annex III. 
Wo 
Article 9(2) 
2. If, despite the measures taken to 
meet the obligations under Article 4(1), 
water intended for human consumption 
does not meet the requirements of Annex 
I, Member States shall ensure that the 
necessary remedial action is taken as soon 
as possible to restore its quality. 2. If, despite the measures taken to 
meet the obligations under Article 4(1), 
water intended for human consumption 
does not meet the requirements of Annex 
I, Member States shall ensure that the 
necessary remedial action is taken as soon 
as possible to restore its quality, and that 
consumers are notified. 
Article 9(3a) (new) 
3a. Member States shall prioritise their 
enforcement action, having regard to the 
extent to which the relevant parameter has 
been exceeded. 
Article 10(1) 
1. Member States may make 
provision for derogations from the 
parametric values set out in Annex I part B 
for a limited period of time and up to a 
maximum value to be determined by 
them, provided that the derogation during 
such period does not constitute a potential 
danger to human health and provided that 
the supply of water intended for human 
consumption in the area concerned cannot 
otherwise be maintained by any other 
reasonable means. 1. Member States may make 
provision for derogations from the 
parametric values set out in Annex I part B 
up to a maximum value to be determined 
by them, provided that the derogation does 
not constitute a potential danger to human 
health and provided that the supply of 
water intended for human consumption in 
the area concerned cannot otherwise be 
maintained by any other reasonable 
means. Derogations should not exceed two 
years after which a review must be 
conducted and forwarded to the 
Commission to determine whether 
sufficient progress has been made. The 
Commission may, on the basis of the 
review, permit a further derogation up to 
two vears. 
<"1l 
Article 10(2) (d) 
(d) an appropriate monitoring scheme, 
with an increased 
frequency where necessary; monitoring (d) an appropriate monitoring scheme, 
with an increased monitoring 
frequency where necessary and 
relevant, and earlier monitoring 
results where avai I able; 
Article 14(1) 
1. At least every \0 years, the 
Commission shall review Annex I in the 
light of scientific and technical progress 
and shall make proposals for amendments, 
where necessary, under the procedure in 
Article 189c of the Treaty. 1. At least every five years, the 
Commission shall review Annex I in the 
light of scientific and technical progress 
and shall make proposals for amendments, 
where necessary, under the procedure in 
Article 189c of the Treaty. 
Article 16(4) 
4. The formats and the minimum 
information for the reports referred to in 
paragraphs shall be determined having 
special regard to the measures referred to 
in Articles 3(d), 5, 6(3) and 9, and shall if 
necessary, be amended in accordance with 
the procedure laid down in Article 15. 4. The formats and the minimum 
information for the reports referred to in 
paragraph 3 shall be determined having 
special regard to the measures referred to 
in Articles 3(d), 5, 6(3). 8(2), 9, 10(5 and 
6} and 18(1), and shall if necessary, be 
amended in accordance with the procedure 
laid down in Article 15. 
4Z 
Article 18(1) 
1. Member States may in exceptional 
circumstances and for geographically 
defined population groups submit a special 
request to the Commission for a longer 
period than provided for in this Directive 
for complying with individual parametric 
values set in Part B of Annex I. This 
provision does not apply to water intended 
for human consumption offered for sale in 
bottles or containers. 1. Member States may in exceptional 
circumstances and for geographically 
defined population groups submit a special 
request to the Commission for a longer 
period than provided for in this Directive, 
for complying with individual parametric 
values set in Part B of Annex I. The period 
should not exceed two years after which a 
review must be conducted and forwarded 
to the Commission which may, on the 
basis of the review, permit a further period 
of up to two years, providing the total 
period does not exceed five years. This 
provision does not apply to water intended 
for human consumption offered for sale in 
bottles or containers. 
Annex I, Part B, entry 5 
Boron 300 j.ig/1 Boron 1.0 mg/1 (= 1000iig/l) 
Annex I, Part B, entries 7 and 9 
Bromodichloromethane 
Chloroform 15 ug/1 
40 ug/1 
(Note 2) Total Trihalomethanes (THM) 100 ug/1 
2 chloroform 
- Bromoform 
- Dibromochloromethane 
2 Bromodichloromethane 
(Notes 1 and 2) 
13 
Annex 1, Part B, entry 21a (new), (after "pesticides") 
Total pesticides 0.5 ug/1 (TSfote 5a) 
Applies to:-
Boron 
Copper Annex I, Part B, Note 1 
Applies to:-
Boron 
Copper 
Nickel 
Nitrate 
Nitrite 
Polycvclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 
Trichlorethene 
Trihalomethanes (in respect of 
Chloroform) 
Note 1 : The values and classification of 
these parameters may be 
amended in the light of new 
scientific evidence which is 
expected to become available 
shortly. Note 1 : The values and classification of 
these parameters may be 
amended in the light of new 
scientific evidence which is 
expected to become available 
shortly. 
IV, 
Annex I, Part B, Note 2 
Note 2: The samples for these parameters 
are to be taken after any 
chlorine contact time and at the 
outlet of the water treatment 
plant. Where necessary, the 
parametric value for 
bromodichloromethane can be 
increased to 25 ug/1 provided 
that the parametric value for 
chloroform is reduced to 30 
f.ig/1. Note 2: The samples for these parameters 
are to be taken at the tap and 
must be met at the latest 10 
calender years from the date of 
entry into force of this 
Directive. When implementing 
the measures to achieve this 
value. Member States shall give 
priority to those areas where 
THM concentrations in water 
intended for; human 
consumption are high-
Member States shall ensure that 
all appropriate measures are 
taken to reduce the 
concentration of THMs in water 
intended for human 
consumption as much as 
possible during the period 
needed to achieve compliance 
with the parametric value. 
The parametric value for total 
THMs from 5 years after the 
entry into force of this directive 
until 10 years after it has entered 
into force is 150 ug/1 to be met 
at the tap. 
Member States must produce a 
report and forward it to the 
Commission, in accordance 
with .Article 16(5). on areas with 
high THM values and come 
forward within 5 years with a 
plan to reduce THMs to 100 
ug/1. 
1S 
Annex I, Part B, Note 3, paragraph 3 a (new) 
Where water sampled at a tap within a 
household does not comply with the 
parametric value, and in accordance with 
Articles 2(2) and 7(3), Member States 
need not oblige individual householders to 
replace or permit the replacement of those 
lead pipes or components containing lead, 
where the non-compliance is due to the 
domestic distribution system. 
Annex I, Part B, Note 3, paragraph 3b (new) 
The sampling and monitoring methods 
shall be carried out and defined in a 
harmonized fashion. 
Annex I, Part B, Note 5(a) 
(a) Pesticides means ; 
- organic insecticides, 
- organic herbicides, 
- organic fungicides, 
- organic nematocides, 
- organic acaricides, 
- organic algicides, 
and related products 
regulators]. [growth (a) Pesticides means : 
- organic insecticides, 
- organic herbicides, 
- organic fungicides, 
- organic nematocides, 
- organic acaricides, 
- organic algicides, 
and related products [growth 
regulators and metabolites with an 
effect similar to pesticides!. 
ic 
Annex I, Part B, Note 5a (new) 
New note to new line in table (Total pesticides) 
Note 5a: (a) 
(M Pesticides means : 
- organic insecticides; 
- organic herbicides; 
- organic fungicides; 
- organic nematocides; 
- organic acaricides; 
- organic algicides; 
and related, products 
["growth regulators and 
metabolites which are 
pesticides! 
Only those pesticides 
which are likely to be 
present in a given supply 
need to be monitored. 
Annex I, Part B, Note 5(d) 
(d) The Commission shall examine 
whether an individual value can be 
set for a given substance, after an 
evaluation of the available scientific 
information. Deleted. 
^ 
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COM(97) 228 final 
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