Home > Press releases > 1995
6 Jul 1995
Drinking water figures mask concern over lead, pesticides and sex hormones
In response to the fifth annual report of the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) published today [Wednesday, 5 July 1995], Friends of the Earth claimed that policy on drinking water protection did not put the interests of consumers first, accused the Government of dragging its heels over the issue of lead despite knowing of the dangers of lead pollution for years, and called for comprehensive monitoring of hormone-mimicking chemicals.
Mary Taylor, Water Campaigner, said:
"The overall figure for drinking water compliance glosses over concerns about paraticular pollutants. Government policy is failing to make drinking water protection a priority. We need a lead pipe replacement programme, a ban on pesticides which pollute drinking water, and an urgent investigation of hormone-like chemicals in water sources."
Friends of the Earth pointed out that: the current lead standard is too lax despite World Health Organisation recommendations that it be more stringent pesticide bans would safeguard water sources and save consumers money very little monitoring of water supplies for hormone-like substances was being carried out and that any results are not necessarily public.
...more Lead standard too lax - new Directive at risk
Despite universal acceptance that lead is toxic at almost any level, the UK has failed to adopt new standards recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) three years ago. The WHO guideline values are close to 5 times more stringent than the current UK standard [1]. In 1988, on the basis that there could be no safe limit, the US Environmental Protection Agency declared a goal of "zero" for lead in drinking water [2]. The European Commission has proposed a new limit in line with the WHO values, but Member States still have to negotiate and agree a new drinking water Directive. The UK Government has argued that lead limits should apply to data collected over a period of time (rather than to every single sample), leading FOE to suspect that the UK will push for an essentially weaker standard in the final Directive [3].
Friends of the Earth wants to see: adoption of the WHO recommended limit for lead with a target of zero a public awareness programme a timetabled programme for lead pipe replacement improvements in the grant system to encourage householders to replace their lead pipes
Pesticides ban would be effective and save money
FOE has long called for a ban on pesticides which pollute water sources. Pesticide removal is costing around o1 billion in capital expenditure alone [4], a price borne by customers rather than polluters. A recent study for the DWI estimated that protection zones (banning or restricting the use of pesticides) around water sources would be a far cheaper option than water treatment [5], yet no water protection zones have been created despite the existence of enabling legislation.
A partial ban on the two most commonly occurring pesticides was implemented in 1993, and Thames Water has noted that improvement in meeting the pesticide standards can be explained partly by "measures to control pesticides at source", vindicating FOE's call for a ban [6]. However, polluting pesticides are still in use, and there are worries that users are switching to alternatives just as capable of polluting water as the banned pesticides.
Despite a legal deadline to meet the pesticide standards in 1985, supplies to millions of people still exceed the legal standards at times [7].
...more
Survey of hormone-mimicking chemicals in water needed
There has been much concern recently about chemicals which mimic hormone action, and which may be linked to falling sperm counts, other types of reproductive disorders and increased incidence of testicular cancer [8]. Although a wide variety of substances is suspect, male fish have been shown to develop female characteristics downstream of sewage treatment works, leading to concerns over water resources. A group of synthetic detergents, known as alkyl phenol ethoxylates, are implicated. A survey conducted by FOE last year revealed that only one of the water companies was monitoring their drinking water supplies for these chemicals [9], and such monitoring is not required by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
FOE has called for an immediate ban on all non-essential uses and a programme for the total phase-out of all alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs), and a wide-ranging investigation into potential oestrogenic effects of synthetic chemicals [10].
ENDS
Notes
1. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended tightening the standard for lead in drinking water from 50 micrograms per litre (ug/l) to 10 micrograms per litre. This "new, much more stringent, guideline" was announced on 28 September 1992 [WHO press release]. 2. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for lead of zero (Federal Register, Vol 56 (110), 7 June 1991). This was proposed as early as 1988 (Fact Sheet: Proposed National Primary Drinking water Regulation for Lead and Copper, 10 August, 1988, and Federal Register, Vol 53 (160), 19 August 1988). 3. CEC (1994). Draft proposal for a drinking water Directive. The UK views were outlined in a non-paper (23 August 1993) sent to the European Commission, a leaked copy of which was obtained by Friends of the Earth. 4. OFWAT (1992). The Cost of Quality - a strategic assessment of the prospects for future water bills. 5. WRC (1995). A Study of the Economics of Restrictions on the Use of Pesticides. 6. Thames Water Utilities (1995). Drinking Water Quality - 1994. 7. In the Thames region alone, FOE estimated that nearly 6 million people were affected in 1993. 8. For summary see: The ENDS Report (1995). In search of a risk assessment for endocrine pollutants. Vol 243, 15-20. 9. Friends of the Earth (1995). Press Release, 6 February 1995: Feminising Toxic Chemicals still entering UK Waters: Immediate Ban the Only Way to Protect Wildlife and Man. 10. Friends of the Earth (1995). An Environmental Assessment of Alkyl Phenol Ethoxylates and Alkyl Phenols.
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