Luxembourg, 04/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Court of Justice has recently condemned France for not complying, in Brittany, with European directives relating to the quality of tap water (No 80/778) and nitrate content. The general interest objective of the directive is public health protection, the Court recalls.
Before taking France before the court, the European Commission had recognised that the situation in Brittany is improving but noted that, on the date of 19 February 2003 (the deadline set in the reasoned opinion), the French authorities had not proved that the maximum acceptable concentration of 50 mg/l was respected in tap water intended for human consumption in Brittany.
France had acknowledged the facts but highlighted that the situation was clearly improving and that there were fewer Bretons who have to drink this water, albeit still too high in nitrates. The French authorities also insisted on the preventive and curative measures already taken as well as an action plan adopted in February 2002 by all local operators concerned.