WRITTEN QUESTION E-2565/03 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Residues of hormones, antibiotics and phthalic acid esters in drinking water.
Date: 2003-08-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: drinking water, health legislation, hormone, pesticide residue, public health, water analysis

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/127

Finally, provisional lists of Union citizens having right to vote are drawn up on the basis of affirmative
responses. These lists are displayed in local authority offices for eight days, from the 6th day after the
election is called. Appeals may be made during this period and the names of those obtaining a favourable
outcome are incorporated to the final list.

The Commission considers that the system of entering Union citizens into electoral rolls in Spain is in
compliance with Directive 94/80/EC.

The Commission has not received any complaints that the registration system would not have functioned
in the context of the last local elections in Spain, held in May 2003. The Commission strives for
guaranteeing that the Member States comply with Community law, including fundamental rights, but the
information included in the question is not sufficiently detailed to enable the Commission to take further
measures.

(1) Council Directive 94/80/EC of 19 December 1994 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right
to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections by citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of
which they are not nationals, OJ L 368, 31.12.1994.

(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

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.

2.

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

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

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(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.

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
the actual occurrence of endocrine disrupters and the potential exposure of humans to
picture of
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.

C 78 E/128

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The main conclusions of this study are:

(cid:1) Efficient drinking water treatment chains are appropriate to avoid drinking water contamination by

EDCs (e.g. using ozonation, activated carbon, bank filtration).

(cid:1) 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.

(cid:1) 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).

(1) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.
(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.

(2004/C 78 E/0130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2566/03

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 August 2003)

Subject: EU aid for construction projects in Italy

The firm Planten en Bloemen, based at Batzenhofen (Germany), commissioned the firm Europepartner,
owned by Geom. Cataffo Doriano and based in Salerno (Italy), to build a warehouse in Täfertingen
(Germany), an investment totalling EUR 850 000. The construction firm considered that there was a
possibility of EU aid and, according to its own information, applied for it. The project, however, was not
completed and the whereabouts of the Italian builder is unknown.

1.

2.

Is there any possibility in general of such construction projects receiving aid?

If so, under which programme could the aid be paid?

3. Was an application made for aid for the above project?

4.

If so, when and want amount was paid out?

5. Were accounts duly kept?

6.

Is the Commission aware that the project was not completed?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2003)

The Commission can confirm that the area in question is not among those defined as eligible for European
regional aid under the Structural Funds, nor is it covered under the rural development programmes of the
CAP. Accordingly, there is no Community financial instrument available to the Bavarian authorities to
support the project in question.

The Commission is informed that the project is not yet complete, but would point out that only the
investor (in this case Planten en Bloemen, Batzenhofen) may apply for Community co-financing via the
Bavarian authorities, and not the individual building contractor.