HE royal decree on water for human consumption, approved a few days ago, brings an improvement in the amount of unauthorized pesticides. So right now Tap water is more tightly regulated than bottled water when it comes to hazardous pesticides..
The new norm, whose the main purpose is to “protect people’s health” Therefore, the text includes an obligation to “assure effective, safe and appropriate use of the chemicals and filter media used, as well as the use of different water treatment treatment processes”. avoiding adverse effects on the user’s health“.
“Increased consumer awareness of the impacts of tap water consumption, better knowledge of relevant information and greater transparency will increase citizens’ confidence in the water supplied to them and related services, and increased use of tap water“, the document states.
Ecologists in Action applauded by royal decree that tap water is “safer” Thanks to “reducing the amount of banned and unlicensed pesticides”.
explain what maintains previous limit for allowed pesticides 0.1 micrograms per liter. But to introduce new, more restrictive limit for banned and unauthorized pesticides: 0.03 micrograms per liter, which is previously applied to only four substances, now applies to all pesticides except those permitted.
“A significant change”
“This is a big change Because Unauthorized and prohibited substances are many and far more toxic and dangerous to health and ecosystems.” highlights Ecologists in Action.
Curiously, the royal decree regulating exploitation mineral waters natural, spring waters And prepared waters packaged for human consumption, again approved last January, does not make this distinction between permitted and non-permitted pesticidesand maintains the same limit of 0.1 micrograms per liter for both groups.
“So, Tap water has stricter regulations than bottled water for pesticides that are banned or not allowed because they are too toxic.” highlights Ecologists in Action.
“Those who choose to buy bottled water on their own will, or more commonly because the water in their area is not properly managed by the authorities, are paying much more than they do for water. Allows more than three times the amount of banned pesticides‘, explains the NGO.
The environmental group underlines that all administrations responsible for the supply of drinking water must fulfill their responsibilities and ensure that what is written in the new standard is “a reality on our taps”. In addition, Requires “correct water management to ensure a healthy water supply in all populations”.
The protection agency has always attracted attention. contradiction This meant that European and Spanish regulations on water for human consumption allowed HCH-lindane (organochlorine synthesis compound) values 2.5 times higher than those determined for the environmental quality of surface waters.
He insisted that it was necessary. change the legislation water for human consumption and equate these limit values.
Criticism of the Ministry of Consumption
In fact, he presented the claims in the process of reviewing European directives on the quality of drinking water in March 2018, and in January 2020 the initiatives were handed over to the groups of the Spanish Parliament and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. . Likewise, its representatives held meetings with the Ministries of Health and Consumption.
Although the “result of a Greater protection of tap water“Ecologists at Work regret that the Department of Consumption does not do the same for bottled water.
Leaders of the environmental group hope that the department headed by Alberto Garzón “fixes this situation, that regulations are passed on to all autonomous communities and their compliance is checked”.
“This royal decree is a dual purposeOn the one hand, It establishes the legal framework to protect human health from the negative effects of any contamination of drinking water. ensuring that it is sanitary and clean. for the other, Facilitates access in accordance with those specified by the United Nations “The human right to water and sanitation in the Kingdom of Spain” is specified by the Government in the introduction to the legislative text.
Link to royal decree 3/2023 on water for human consumption: https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2023/01/10/3/con