Proposal for a Council Directive laying down requirements for the protection of the health of the general public with regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human consumption

Only a very small percentage of drinking water systems are located in areas that have potential sources of man-made radioactive contamination from facilities that use, manufacture, or dispose of radioactive substances. Drinking water contamination may occur through accidental releases of radioactivity or through improper disposal practices.

Water systems that are vulnerable to this type of contamination are required to perform extensive monitoring for radioactive contamination to ensure that their drinking water is safe. Yet, there are many regions in Europe where the geological and hydrological features are such that the presence of naturally occurring radioactive substances is of concern.

Therefore the Commission considers it appropriate to present a proposal laying down requirements for the protection of the health of the general public with regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human consumption.

EUR-Lex: COM(2011)385: Follow the progress of this document through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2011:385:FIN

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