Supply of Bottled Water (P.177/99): Report

SUPPLY OF BOTTLED WATER (P.177/99): REPORT _______________

Presented to the States on 18th January 2000 by the Health and Social Services Committee

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STATES OF JERSEY

STATES GREFFE

175             1 9 9 9 P . 1 7 7 R p t .      

Price code: A

REPORT

1. B a c kg  round

  O n 2 n d November 1999 the Deputy of St. John presented to the States a report and proposition (P.177/99)

regarding the Supply of Bottled Water which was in the following terms -

T h e Sta tes are asked to decide whether they are of opinion -

  (1 ) to agree to investigate the feasibility of providing a potable bottled water supply at reduced cost for mothers

of very young children and other people at risk, until such time as the Medical Officer of Health declares that the Island's water supply is fit for this section of the community to drink;

  (2 ) to charge the Health and Social Services Committee, in conjunction with any other Committee involved, to

report to the States Assembly within three months with fully costed recommendations.

T h e p r oposition was lodged "au Greffe" and referred to the Health and Social Services Committee for the

preparation of a report.

2. I s sue  s

T h e le tte r quoted in the Proposition, written in September 1999 by the Medical Officer of Health, was intended

solely as a private, professional communication to General Practitioners, reminding them of the variable quality of water for those who use private supplies, and advising of an increased level of nitrates in the water supplied by the Jersey New Waterworks Company Ltd (JNWC).

  T h is c o uld be of relevance to very young children and a small number of others who might be vulnerable to

developing methaemoglobinaemia (a condition involving an altered protein in the blood cells with reduced oxygen- carrying capacity). It was considered that GPs should be made aware of the possibility, albeit unlikely, of this condition occurring. The significance of the advice and any action arising would depend on the clinical opinion of the doctor concerned.

  T h e M e dical Officer of Health has advised that, although there is less safety margin for some groups due to a raised

nitrate level, the public water supply provided by the JNWC is fit to drink. There is therefore no health reason to provide a supply of bottled water at the present time.

B y v ir tu e of the Water (Jersey) Law 1972, the responsibility for provision of a wholesome' public water supply is

vested in the JNWC, under the supervision of the Public Services Committee. A decision as to the wholesomeness' of the water rests with the Public Services Committee, and that Committee has not deemed it necessary to take any action in this respect.

I n th e unlikely event that the public water supply should (for any reason) become unsuitable for human

consumption, considerably more resources would be required than just the provision of bottled water to groups at risk. It is suggested that the JNWC and the Public Services Committee are responsible for the contingency plans for such a remote possibility, but in the absence of specific proposals it would be difficult to cost the plans.

  T h e Sta  tes are aware that the JNWC is considering building a nitrate removal plant to reduce the risk of raised

nitrate levels in the public water supply. However, before any decision is taken to provide a plant, the Company is awaiting information on new United Kingdom drinking water regulations to be announced this year and the results of an environmental impact assessment for the disposal of the nitrate waste stream.

In th e m eantime, it is proposed the desalination plant will be used when nitrate levels in natural resources are at

their highest (normally during spring and early summer) with the objective of blending desalinated water with reservoir water, and thereby reducing nitrate levels in drinking water during these periods.

3. C  on  c lusions

T h e Sta tes are advised that the public water supply is fit to drink and there is presently no need to consider the

supply of bottled water to any sections of the community on health grounds. However, individuals who use a private water supply should be aware of the variable quality of that supply and take measures to monitor their water quality.

Wh ils t th e JNWC has developed a proposal to reduce the level of nitrate in the public water supply, this is awaiting

an environmental impact assessment before final decisions are made.

  T h e re is a need for the Public Services Committee and JNWC to ensure a contingency plan to manage the situation

should the public water supply (for any reason) become unfit for consumption. However, it is considered this would involve considerably more than providing a limited supply of bottled water. It is understood that measures are currently being taken to address the contingency planning issue.