Megaton scandal over water: Water companies “passed” pollution checks that never took place
As if the global concern about water scarcity wasn’t enough, scandals related to contaminated water are now emerging across Europe, including Greece.
A major scandal concerning water and its quality is shaking England, as the European Environment Agency warns that “our waters are facing a series of unprecedented problems that threaten the water security of Europe“.
At the same time, there are problems in Greece as well, as various alarming cases regarding water quality have recently emerged, which have even led, in some instances, to several citizens being hospitalized.
In England, water companies “passed” thousands of pollution tests as part of a self-monitoring regime, but the tests were never actually conducted, reveals the Observer of the British Guardian. In fact, the operational data of the water companies for wastewater treatment facilities across the country reveals how sewage discharges had stopped – in some cases, for just a few hours – on the days when samples were supposed to be taken!
The European Environment Agency analyzed 120,000 external water surfaces and 3.8 million square kilometers of groundwater in 19 EU countries and Norway – It calls for a 50% reduction in the use of herbicides by 2030.
The company Southern Water has already been found to have “deliberately manipulated” the flow of sewage to avoid detection of pollution. The number of non-flows reported dropped sharply after the investigation into its practices.
British ministers announced last week the establishment of an independent committee for the water sector and regulation, as part of the largest review expected to take place in the industry since privatization. The water regulator, Ofwat, could be reformed or even abolished.
Water companies in England are allowed to “self-monitor” for pollution incidents, as part of a controversial system established in 2009. Samples for laboratory testing are usually taken by employees of the water companies and are supplementary to the checks carried out by the Environment Agency. And of course, the environmental performance of businesses is linked to the pay of the bosses and the cost of bills…
The biggest threats to water in Europe
Surface waters are threatened by atmospheric pollution (coal burning, car emissions, etc.) and agriculture, which produces large amounts of waste that pollute the soils.
European agriculture should increase the use of more sustainable natural and agroecological practices, which will be accompanied by incentives and a change in our dietary habits,” according to the report by the European Environment Agency.
The European organization has analyzed 120,000 external water surfaces and 3.8 million square kilometers of groundwater in 19 countries of the European Union and Norway, and is calling for a 50% reduction in the use of herbicides by 2030.
We must double our efforts to restore the health of our precious water streams, lakes, coastal waters, and other bodies of water, so that this vital resource is preserved and water is safe for future generations,” it is emphasized.
The consequences of climate change (drought and floods) and the overexploitation of water resources also put pressure on water resources.
The restriction of water consumption and the restoration of ecosystems must be priorities for governments, especially as water resources are under pressure due to climate change, heavy rainfall, glacier melting, and drought, according to the report.
Where was contaminated water found in Greece?
In August, Gavdos made headlines in a negative way due to the mass cases of gastroenteritis, with the mayor categorically denying that the contaminated water from the water supply network was to blame.
Two months later, the island’s doctor Vasilis Ambrosiadis was forcibly relocated by decision of the Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis, who has publicly spoken about the issue of contaminated water as one of the possible causes of the local “epidemic.
Water with coliform bacteria
The island’s mayor argued that the doctor’s statements about the contaminated water were unfounded, as inspections showed that two of the three boreholes supplying the water network of Gavdos “met the minimum requirements for microbiological parameters.” The third was reported to be contaminated “with minimal samples of enterococci,” for which the municipal authority “is taking measures.” As for the other three, “they are not used in the network.
Only the water samples that residents subsequently sent to the Regional Public Health Laboratory in Chania confirmed and more than supported what the doctor was saying. At four water extraction points, including a public tap, coliform bacteria and enterococci were detected.
Following this, the General Directorate of Public Health of the regional unit of Chania made recommendations to the Municipality of Gavdos to take all necessary measures to protect drinking water throughout its journey, from the point of abstraction to its use by consumers.
Inappropriate water in areas of the Municipality of Zagora
At the end of August, in another area of Greece, unsuitable water was detected, with the difference that, in this case, the municipality conducted all necessary checks and announced that the use of the water for human consumption is prohibited in specific areas until further notice.
Specifically, the Municipality of Zagora – Mouresi informed that the results of the laboratory tests of drinking water, conducted by the P.E.D.Y. of Thessaly and the collaborating accredited laboratory, showed exceedances of critical quality parameters in specific areas.
As stated in the relevant announcement of the Municipality: “The use of water for human consumption is prohibited in the Ag. Paraskevi neighborhood of the Zagora Community (Karasmanoglou network) and in the lower Chorefto network.
The Municipality then proceeded with new sampling, while until the necessary work was completed and the safety of the water was confirmed, the ban remained in effect.
Water contaminated with arsenic in Imathia?
Farmers are reported to be throwing boxes of medicines near a water pumping station, turning it into an illegal dump, which resulted in the contamination of the aquifer and the detection of high levels of arsenic in the water in the Imathia area last July.
Specifically, in Arachos of Imathia, sampling was conducted in the summer and it was found that the arsenic content in the area’s water was particularly high.
According to local media reports, in fact, the investigation and the complaint were made by a livestock farmer in the area, who on his own initiative sent water samples to private laboratories.
Despite the fact that these are isolated cases, it is a fact that the precious water, valuable to everyone, is at risk at any moment everywhere on the planet, and beyond climate change, the human factor also plays a crucial role.
