WRITTEN QUESTION E-0152/00 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Exceeding of maximum permissible nitrate levels in water for human consumption in the Community of Valencia (Spain).
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, chemical salt, drinking water, infringement of EU law, pollution from agricultural sources, public health, water analysis, water pollution, water protection, water treatment

21.11.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 330 E/93

Implementation of

is the
2.
responsibility of the flag state of the vessel to ensure that its vessels comply with the rules. Coastal states
may monitor compliance and prosecute an offending vessel(cid:146)s master under their national laws if the vessel
enters port.

the Colregs is not supervised by any international organisation.

It

3.
The Commission is not aware of any differences in interpretation of the Colregs in Member States as
the rules have evolved over a long time and their interpretation has been discussed and agreed by
International maritime organisation (IMO) Member States.

The Commission therefore has no evidence of any need for harmonisation of the application of the

4.
Colregs in the Community.

(2000/C 330 E/103)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0152/00

by Mar(cid:237)a Sornosa Mart(cid:237)nez (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Exceeding of maximum permissible nitrate levels in water for human consumption in the

Community of Valencia (Spain)

At the end of last year a report by the water control unit of the government of the Community of Valencia
was published showing that the water intended for human consumption in 46 municipal districts in the
Community of Valencia contained more than the permitted amount of nitrates laid down by the European
Union and the World Health Organisation. This means that more than 375 000 persons (10 % of
Valencians) are exposed to the health risks posed by nitrates (notably, cancer in adults and anaemia in
children).

The main source of this kind of water pollution is the excessive and improper use of nitrogenous fertilising
for farming in the area. The Government of Valencia has responded to this serious situation merely by
declaring 193 municipal districts to be at risk from nitrate pollution, without doing anything else to
remedy the situation. In so doing, the government has merely applied Community legislation incorrectly
by complying with formal requirements without attempting to remedy the problem.

Bearing in mind the provisions of Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human
consumption (1) and Directive 91/676/EC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by
nitrates from agricultural sources (2) as well as the requirements to be laid down in the future framework
directive on water,
is the Commission aware of the breaches of Community legislation involving the
exceeding of maximum permitted nitrate levels affecting the people of Valencia. If so, what measures has it
taken or will it take to safeguard the health of these citizens?

(1) OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32.
(2) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 2000)

The Commission is aware of the problem the Honourable Member has raised regarding the pollution of
water intended for human consumption due to exceedance of the maximum authorised level of nitrates.

The Court of Justice has already condemned Spain for failing to comply with Council Directive 91/676/
EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from
agricultural sources. The failings noted by the Court included failure to designate vulnerable zones and
failure to adopt codes of good agricultural practice (1).

C 330 E/94

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

In addition, the Commission has brought a further action (2) against Spain before the Court of Justice for
failure to communicate the vulnerable zone action programmes required by Directive 91/676/EEC.

Regarding the drinking water problem, the Commission has recently instituted infringement proceedings in
respect of the poor quality of drinking water in several municipalities of the Autonomous Community of
Valencia, invoking improper application of Council Directive 80/778/EEC of 15 July 1980 relating to the
quality of water intended for human consumption (3).

The Commission hopes these proceedings will help resolve the problem raised by the Honourable Member.
It will, in addition, take all useful steps to ensure that Spain makes a full designation of vulnerable zones in
all provinces in which nitrates from agricultural sources are threatening the quality of fresh or sea water,
and that it introduces action programmes rapidly.

The Commission would point out that, pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/99 of 17 May 1999
on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)
and amending and repealing certain Regulations (4), good farming practice is now a precondition for
payment of compensatory allowances (Chapter V of the Regulation) and in the implementation of agri-
environmental measures (Chapter VI of the Regulation).

(1) Case C-71/97. Judgment of 1.10.1998.
(2) Case C-274/98.
(3) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980, amended by OJ L 224, 3.9.1993.
(4) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2000/C 330 E/104)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0156/00

by Niels Busk (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 January 2000)

Subject: Framework directive on water policy COM(1999) 271

The Commission proposal for a directive establishing a directive for Community action in the field of
water policy (COM(1999) 271) is initially a compilation of a number of directives regulating surface and
ground water. Is the framework directive intended to tighten up the environmental objectives laid down in
the current directives?

The proposal would introduce a precautionary principle, not defined in greater detail, and phase out
hazardous substances. What is meant by the term precautionary principle and what hazardous substances
are to be phased out?

On the matter of phasing out hazardous substances, the intention is to reduce discharges close to zero by
2002 on the basis of the 1995 figures. How is this phasing out to be achieved?

It also appears that the intention is both to phase out emissions and discharges of hazardous substances
and achieve the ultimate aim of concentrations in the marine environment near background values for
naturally occurring substances and close to zero for man-made synthetic substances. What are naturally
occurring substances and how are these (cid:145)background values(cid:146) to be determined? Do values (cid:145)close to zero(cid:146)
mean what can be measured with currently available technology (cid:129) so over time absolute zero when the
minutest traces of substances will be measurable?

The proposal also speaks of (cid:145)reversing any significant and sustained upward trend in the concentration of
any pollutant in ground water(cid:146). Does this mean that levels of nitrates for example in ground water will not
be allowed to rise to the limit values that have been set?