2023-11-13 07:35:59
The PFAS file continues to bounce back. The #Investigation magazine proposed this Wednesday, November 8, an investigation which revealed the existence of PFAS (also known as “eternal pollutants”) in the drinking water of municipalities like Chièvres or Ath in proportions that are too high compared to the future standard. European.
Thursday evening in a press release, the Walloon Minister of the Environment Céline Tellier announced a series of measures and recommended to individuals in the municipalities of Chièvres, Leuze-en-Hainaut, Beloeil, Ath, Mons, Écaussinnes and Seneffe “to avoid consuming eggs and vegetables from local production (vegetable garden, domestic chickens), in order to remain vigilant.“.
But residents of other Walloon municipalities are having to ask themselves the question regarding the water flowing into their homes.
And on this site, the Walloon Water Company indicates that the water quality in Ronquières is good. However, the PFAS value is 106 nanograms per liter. However, the future European standard, active in 2026, is 100.
Other analyzes below the threshold
We are therefore beyond. Is this water still drinkable? We questioned the Minister of the Environment, Céline Tellier. In an email, she responds that more recent analyzes show reassuring results. VIVAQUA, which supplies this water to the SWDE, had communicated, as part of its routine analyzes carried out between October 2 and 30, concentration measurements of between 72 and 86 ng/L, below the future standard of 100 ng /L, therefore.
Despite these reassuring results, the SWDE ordered an additional control analysis, the results of which are not yet known.
Enough to make Walloon MP François Desquesnes, who lives in the region, jump: “If it is a question of protecting citizens, of giving warnings, of giving advice, in particular for the most vulnerable groups, pregnant women, infants, young children, there you go, I think that consuming this tap water is not ideal for health. And therefore we must provide clear information while awaiting counter-expertise. Certainly. But from now on, applying the precautionary principle is a question of public health and for me it’s we can’t discuss that.”
In Flanders, the tolerated PFAS standard is very strict. If the Ronquières levels had been observed in the north of the country, the water would have been declared unfit for consumption following 30 days.
In the village, we are worried. As for the mayor of the commune, he told us by telephone that he had called an emergency meeting on the subject this Monday morning.
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