E.coli contaminated water

A report prepared by the Control Body of the Ministry of Economy in Romania shows that the National Society of Mineral Waters (SNAM) delivered more than 13.7 million litres of water contaminated with E.coli and other microorganisms which are dangerous to consumers’ health.

The core activity of SNAM is to collect mineral waters — natural resources belonging to the Romanian state — and sell them to various bottling facilities.

In order to ensure that the water collected and sold is safe for drinking and that it does not endanger the health of consumers, SNAM has the water tested periodically. According to the operational procedure, if tests show that the water is not safe for drinking, delivery must be suspended until the issues are addressed.

During an inspection performed in March and April 2018, the inspectors of the Ministry of Economy discovered that, at the end of August 2017, SNAM had violated this procedure.

According to the report, the water in question had microbiological content five times higher than the maximum laid down in the Government Decision 2010/2005 and it also contained the E.coli bacterium.

What intervention mechanisms does the Commission have to prevent such issues of European importance, because this situation poses a risk to all European citizens?