§ Mr. NealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department was under any obligation to notify the European Commission under the terms of directive 80778 Quality of Water Supplied for Human Consumption (article 10); and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardSouth-West water authority applied to the Department for an emergency derogation under article 10 of the EC drinking water directive (80/778/EEC) on 3 August 1988 as some water samples in the Camelford area146W were continuing to exceed the directive standard for aluminium. The Department concluded that a derogation to permit the directive standard to be relaxed would not be appropriate. It wanted drinking water quality to return to compliance with the standard as soon as possible. It was also satisfied, on medical advice, that there was no public health risk. On 24 October 1988, by which time the Camelford supply had been complying with the aluminium standard for some weeks, the SWWA withdrew the application. Under the directive member states are required to inform the Commission when they grant a derogation under article 10. Because no derogation was granted, there was no obligation to notify the Commission.