Council Directive 98/83/ECShow full title

PART B U.K. Chemical parameters

Parameter	Parametric value	Unit	Notes
Acrylamide	0,1	μg/l	Note 1
Antimony	5,0	μg/l
Arsenic	10	μg/l
Benzene	1,0	μg/l
Benzo(a)pyrene	0,01	μg/l
Boron	1,0	mg/l
Bromate	10	μg/l	Note 2
Cadmium	5,0	μg/l
Chromium	50	μg/l
Copper	2,0	mg/l	Note 3
Cyanide	50	μg/l
1,2-dichloroethane	3,0	μg/l
Epichlorohydrin	0,1	μg/l	Note 1
Fluoride	1,5	mg/l
Lead	10	μg/l	Notes 3 and 4
Mercury	1,0	μg/l
Nickel	20	μg/l	Note 3
Nitrate	50	mg/l	Note 5
Nitrite	0,5	mg/l	Note 5
Pesticides	0,1	μg/l	Notes 6 and 7
Pesticides — Total	0,5	μg/l	Notes 6 and 8
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons	0,1	μg/l	Sum of concentrations of specified compounds; Note 9
Selenium	10	μg/l
Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene	10	μg/l	Sum of concentrations of specified parameters
Trihalomethanes — Total	100	μg/l	Sum of concentrations of specified compounds; Note 10
Vinyl chloride	0,5	μg/l	Note 1

Note 1: U.K.

The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water. U.K.

Note 2: U.K.

Where possible, without compromising disinfection, Member States should strive for a lower value. U.K.

For the water referred to in Article 6(1)(a), (b) and (d), the value must be met, at the latest, 10 calendar years after the entry into force of the Directive. The parametric value for bromate from five years after the entry into force of this Directive until 10 years after its entry into force is 25 μg/l.

Note 3: U.K.

The value applies to a sample of water intended for human consumption obtained by an adequate sampling method(1) at the tap and taken so as to be representative of a weekly average value ingested by consumers. Where appropriate the sampling and monitoring methods must be applied in a harmonised fashion to be drawn up in accordance with Article 7(4). Member States must take account of the occurrence of peak levels that may cause adverse effects on human health. U.K.

Note 4: U.K.

For water referred to in Article 6(1)(a), (b) and (d), the value must be met, at the latest, 15 calendar years after the entry into force of this Directive. The parametric value for lead from five years after the entry into force of this Directive until 15 years after its entry into force is 25 μg/l. U.K.

Member States must ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to reduce the concentration of lead in water intended for human consumption as much as possible during the period needed to achieve compliance with the parametric value.

When implementing the measures to achieve compliance with that value Member States must progressively give priority where lead concentrations in water intended for human consumption are highest.

Note 5: U.K.

Member States must ensure that the condition that [nitrate]/50 + [nitrite]/3 ≤ 1, the square brackets signifying the concentrations in mg/l for nitrate (NO₃) and nitrite (NO₂), is complied with and that the value of 0,10 mg/l for nitrites is complied with ex water treatment works. U.K.

Note 6: U.K.

‘Pesticides’ means: U.K.

• organic insecticides,

• organic herbicides,

• organic fungicides,

• organic nematocides,

• organic acaricides,

• organic algicides,

• organic rodenticides

• organic slimicides,

• related products (inter alia, growth regulators)

and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.

Only those pesticides which are likely to be present in a given supply need be monitored.

Note 7: U.K.

The parametric value applies to each individual pesticide. In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide the parametric value is 0,030 μg/l. U.K.

Note 8: U.K.

‘Pesticides — Total’ means the sum of all individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring procedure. U.K.

Note 9: U.K.

The specified compounds are: U.K.

• benzo(b)fluoranthene,

• benzo(k)fluoranthene,

• benzo(ghi)perylene,

• indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene.

Note 10: U.K.

Where possible, without compromising disinfection, Member States should strive for a lower value. U.K.

The specified compounds are: chloroform, bromoform, dibromochloromethane, bromodichloromethane.

For the water referred to in Article 6(1)(a), (b) and (d), the value must be met, at the latest, 10 calendar years after the entry into force of this Directive. The parametric value for total THMs from five years after the entry into force of this Directive until 10 years after its entry into force is 150 μg/l.

Member States must ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to reduce the concentration of THMs in water intended for human consumption as much as possible during the period needed to achieve compliance with the parametric value.

When implementing the measures to achieve this value, Member States must progressively give priority to those areas where THM concentrations in water intended for human consumption are highest.

(1)

To be added following the outcome of the study currently being carried out.