§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will seek to forbid the destruction or pollution of the supply of drinking water for civilian populations in periods of war or international armed conflict, as part of international humanitarian law. [HL3107]
§ Lord BachDeliberate targeting of drinking water installations and supplies is already forbidden in international law under Article 54 of the First Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The employment of poison and poisoned weapons is further prohibited by article 23 of the Hague Regulations of 1907. International law does, however, recognise that lawful attacks directed at military objectives may have unwanted consequences for civilians and/or civilian objects. It is not possible to guarantee that lawful military attacks will not under any circumstances result in damage to water supplies for civilian populations.