Commission acts against Portugal over drinking water in the Azores

The European Commission has decided to send a Reasoned Opinion to Portugal for non-respect of the European Union's Drinking Water Directive in the Azores. This action has been taken, because drinking water supplies on the islands do not live up to with the standards set out in the directive.

Commenting on the decision, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said: "Safe drinking water should be a first priority. In the interests of public health, I strongly urge the Portuguese authorities to take steps to ensure that drinking water standards are complied within the Azores".

The Drinking Water Directive (Council Directive 80/778/EEC relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption) is a key piece of the Community's environmental legislation for safeguarding public health, establishing minimum quality standards that must be respected where water is supplied for consumption. These standards extend to a range of substances, properties and organisms (called parameters). The compliance deadline for Portugal was 1 January 1989.

The decision to send a Reasoned Opinion to Portugal follows the investigation of a complaint about compliance with the Directive in the Azores, in particular in the town of Ribeira Grande. This complaint led the Commission to conclude that Portugal had failed to put in place the necessary regional legislation requiring compliance with the Directive's standards on the islands. The Commission's action involves sending a Reasoned Opinion, the second warning letter under Article 226 of the EC Treaty.