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The contamination of drinking water by metals occurs throughout the “source to tap” production and delivery system. Some contamination is fairly easy to identify and resolve but some much less so. The EU drinking water directive (98/83/EC) sets mandatory health related standards for seven metals (Sb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni) and two metalloids (As, Se), and more discretionary limits for a further four metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Na). The topic encompasses a range of issues that reflect the occurrence of metals and metalloids in source waters, the use of metals in treatment, the use of metals in the fittings and pipes associated with the supply of drinking water to consumers, the use of metals in appliances, and the chemicals used in corrosion control. Whilst some issues are straightforward, others are inherently complex and difficult to handle.

Over-all, there is a significant need to prompt better technical knowledge exchange and further research in Europe on the range of issues relating to metals and related substances in drinking water, being of considerable social, health, environmental and economic importance. The major benefit of the COST Action is the establishment of a comprehensive and active network for the stimulation of research and demonstration studies, enabling valid approaches and best practice to become much better known at the European scale, and enabling the better assessment of the possible impact of metals and related substances on human health in Europe.

The Action is presently supported by 25 European countries (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GR, HU, IE, IL, IT, LT, LV, NL, PL, PT, RO, SE, TR, UK) plus the US and Canada.

To contact us:

Dr Colin Hayes (Chair)

++44 1792 602257 c.r.hayes@swansea.ac.uk