WRITTEN QUESTION E-1683/02 by Ursula Schleicher (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption (Drinking Water Directive).
Date: 2002-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC Directive, drinking water, human nutrition, lead, metal pollution, national implementing measure, pipeline transport, report, water pollution

C 277 E/236

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

These arrangements were the subject of a report from the Commission to the Parliament and the Council
at the end of 2000 (2). In this report, the Commission pointed out that Directive 91/477/EEC was the result
of a compromise reached after several years of negotiations and that, generally speaking, the Member
States and the interested parties were satisfied with the instruments of the Directive. Since the latter were
not inclined to see the balance struck by the Directive upset by substantial modifications to its framework,
its
the Commission stated that revision of the Directive would consist more in clarifying some of
provisions than in making substantial changes, in order to ensure that the Directive was applied in a
uniform manner throughout the Community.

(1) OJ L 256, 13.9.1991.
(2) COM(2000) 837 final.

(2002/C 277 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1683/02

by Ursula Schleicher (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 June 2002)

Subject: Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption (Drinking Water

Directive)

Experts involved in the transposition into national law of Directive 98/83/EC (1) on the quality of water
intended for human consumption (Drinking Water Directive) have criticised a fundamental error in the
Directive which regulates the quality of drinking water but not the measures necessary to guarantee this
quality. The current limit values for lead of 40 µg/l are already frequently exceeded, particularly when
drinking water stands in lead pipes for long periods of time.

Does the Commission have any information on specific measures taken by the Member States to reduce
levels of lead for the population?

Compliance with the future limit values of 25 µg/l and 10 µg/l by 2013 will be impossible unless lead
pipes are replaced.

Does the Commission have any information on which Member States provide aid or subsidies for the
replacement of lead pipes?

(1) OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2002)

With respect to the measures needed to guarantee the quality of drinking water, Article 13(6) of the
Drinking Water Directive (1) requires Member States to produce a report
(to be forwarded to the
Commission) on the measures they have taken or plan to take to fulfil their obligations pursuant to
Article 6(3) and Annex I, Part B, note 10. The first report has to cover the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 and
is due before the end of 2005. Concerning the exceeding of the current standard for lead, which is fixed in
the Directive at 50 micrograms per liter (µg/l), the relevant information will also be available by 2005.

The information of the Commission on specific measures taken by the Member States to reduce levels of
lead for the population is only due by the end of 2005. Nevertheless, some facts are already known at the
present stage. The Commission has been informed of measures taken, or foreseen, by Member States such
as lead pipe replacement
the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and United
Kingdom), water treatment such as phosphate dosing and water softening (France, the Netherlands and
United Kingdom). Also many Member States provide consumers with information on health risks of lead
exposure and on measures to take when they have lead plumbed installations within house.

(Germany, Spain,

Ireland,

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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In other Member States as Denmark, Sweden and Finland lead pipes in the supply of drinking water have
never been used.

With regard to aid or subsidies for the replacement of lead pipes, within consumers’ premises, the
Commission is aware of some Member States already using this incentive (grant schemes) to promote pipe
replacement (the Netherlands, United Kingdom), while some other Member States are still considering such
an incentive.

(1) Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption.

(2002/C 277 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1684/02

by Hubert Pirker (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 June 2002)

Subject: Free movement of hunting weapons

According to oral statements by the Italian authorities, the Italian laws Decreto Legge Nr. 527/92 of
30 December 1992 and Decreto Ministeriale Nr. 635/96 of 30 October 1996 do not permit
the
temporary importation of hunting weapons into Italy from another Member State, for example for them to
be shown to potential customers.

To what extent does the Commission view this as non-compliance with the implementation of Directive
91/477/EEC (1) and as an obstacle to the free movement of goods?

(1) OJ L 256, 13.9.1991, p. 51.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2002)

The Commission is grateful to the honourable Member for the information provided, to the effect that the
temporary importation of hunting weapons into Italy from another Member State, for example for them to
be shown to potential customers, is not allowed.

As the transfer of firearms from one EU Member State to another is governed by Council Directive
91/477/EEC of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons, the Commission
has contacted the authorities in the Member State in question to request clarification of the circumstances.

The Commission will certainly inform the honourable Member of the outcome of its approach.

(2002/C 277 E/262)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1689/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Air traffic control and weather forecasting

(12 June 2002)

Air traffic control
in Europe is extremely important as its effectiveness determines flight safety and
avoidance of delays. Equally as important (and closely linked) is the smooth operation of meteorological
services providing accurate long-range weather forecasts at the right time.