Governmental Decree No. 63 regarding validation of the Regulation on mandatory harmless requirements for drinking water

Disclaimer: The English language text below is provided by the Translation and Terminology Centre for information only; it confers no rights and imposes no obligations separate from those conferred or imposed by the legislation formally adopted and published. Only the latter is authentic. The original Latvian text uses masculine pronouns in the singular. The Translation and Terminology Centre uses the principle of gender-neutral language in its English translations. In addition, gender-specific Latvian nouns have been translated as gender-neutral terms, e.g. chairperson. Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) Republic of Latvia Cabinet Regulation No. 63 Adopted 23 February 1999 Mandatory Harmlessness Requirements for Drinking Water Issued pursuant to Section 4, Paragraph two of the Law on the Supervision of the Handling of Food 1. These Regulations determine the mandatory harmlessness requirements for drinking water. 2. Drinking water is surface or ground-water that either in its original state or after special treatment is intended for human consumption, food preparation, or utilisation in the food industry or trade, regardless of the manner of supply (from water supply networks or in containers) and conforms to the standards prescribed in these Regulations. 3. These Regulations do not apply to: 3.1. natural table mineral waters and medicinal waters recognised as such by authorised competent authorities; and 3.2. drinking water from separate points of origin or supply which is utilised by not more than 50 persons and the amount of the supply of which does not exceed 10 m3 per 24 hours, unless it is supplied commercially. 4. If, in determining the microbiological parameters of drinking water (Annex 1), Escherichia coli, enterococci or coliform bacteria are found in a sample of water, a repeat examination of the water shall be carried out without delay. If the number of coliform bacteria in the repeat sample of water exceeds 2/100 ml, or Escherichia coli or enterococci are found, it shall be determined whether there are pathogenic enterobacteria in the water. 5. Drinking water shall not contain micro-organisms (except the micro-organisms referred to in Annex 1 to these Regulations), parasites and admixtures in such amount (number or concentration) as creates a threat to the health of consumers. 6. If there is cause for suspicion of the possible presence in drinking water of pathogenic micro-organisms and toxic substances not referred to in these Regulations in such amounts (number or concentration) as create a threat to the health of consumers, the producer shall ensure that examination of the drinking water takes place without delay. 7. If drinking water, while being treated, is also disinfected, the producer shall monitor the effectiveness of the disinfection (Sub-paragraphs 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 of Annex 1). 8. If the harmlessness parameters of drinking water do not comply with the requirements set out in Paragraph 3 of Annex 1 of these Regulations, the producer shall take remedial action in order to restore the harmlessness of the water and prevent any threat to the health of consumers. 9. If drinking water in the relevant geographic area does not comply with the requirements of these Regulations but does not create a threat to the health of consumers, and a supply of water cannot be provided by other reasonable means, the Minister for Welfare, upon co-ordination with the Food Council, may determine reduced requirements for the drinking water – particular harmlessness standards – for a Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) 2 period not exceeding three years. If necessary, the application of the said standards may be extended for a further period not exceeding three years. 10. In determining particular harmlessness standards regarding drinking water in accordance with Paragraph 9 of these Regulations, the following shall be set out: 10.1. the basis thereof; 10.2. the parameters to which the particular harmlessness standards are being applied, and the maximum permissible values for the relevant parameters; 10.3. the area in which the particular harmlessness standards are applicable; 10.4. the amount of drinking water supplied within a twenty-four hour period; 10.5. the applicable supervision and monitoring scheme; 10.6. possible effects on food production; and 10.7. the time period for which the particular harmlessness standards being determined are applicable. 11. The authorities carrying out State supervision and monitoring, as well as the competent authorities authorised by the Cabinet, shall formulate monitoring and supervision programmes in order to ensure monitoring of drinking water, in compliance with the harmlessness parameters, values, methods, and procedures prescribed in Annex 1, Paragraph 3, and Annexes 2 and 3 of these Regulations. The audit monitoring of drinking water shall be carried out in compliance with the parameters set out in Annex 1 of these Regulations as are not referred to in Paragraph 1 of Annex 2. 12. It is provided that until the year 2015 in water that is not put into containers: 12.1. the content of bromates (Sub-paragraph 2.7 of Annex 1) shall not exceed 25 mg/l; 12.2. the overall content of trihalomethanes (Sub-paragraph 2.24 of Annex 1) shall not exceed 150 mg/l; 12.3. the content of aluminium (Sub-paragraph 3.1 of Annex 1) shall not exceed 0.5 mg/l; 12.4. the content of iron (Sub-paragraph 3.7. of Annex 1) shall not exceed 0.4 mg/l; 12.5. the content of manganese (Sub-paragraph 3.11 of Annex 1) shall not exceed 0.2 mg/l; and 12.6. oxidisability (KMnO4) (Sub-paragraph 3.13 of Annex 1) shall not exceed 8 mg O2/l. Prime Minister V. Krištopans Minister for Welfare V. Makarovs Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) 3 Annex 1 Cabinet Regulation No. 63 23 February 1999 Harmlessness Parameters of Drinking Water and their Values 1. Microbiological Parameters No. in sequence Parameter Maximum Permissible Value 1.1. for tap water: 1.1.1. Escherichia coli 0/100 ml 1.1.2. enterococci 0/100 ml 1.2. for water put into bottles or containers: 1.2.1. Escherichia coli 0/250 ml 1.2.2. enterococci 0/250 ml 1.2.3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa 0/250 ml 1.2.4. colony count 22 °C 100/ml 1.2.5 colony count 37 °C 20/ml 2. Chemical Parameters No. in sequence Parameter Maximum Permissible Value 2.1. acrylamide 0.1 µg/l 2.2. antimony 5.0 µg/l 2.3. arsenic 10.0 µg/l 2.4. benzene 1.0 µg/l 2.5. benzo(a)pyrene 0.01 µg/l 2.6. boron 1.0 mg/l 2.7. bromates 10.0 µg/l 2.8. cyanides 50.0 µg/l 2.9. 1,2-dichloroethane 3.0 µg/l 2.10. mercury 1.0 µg/l 2.11. epichlorohydrin 0.1 µg/l 2.12. fluorides 1.5 mg/l 2.13. chromium 50.0 µg/l 2.14. cadmium 5.0 µg/l 2.15. nickel 20.0 µg/l 2.16. nitrates 50.0 mg/l 2.17. nitrites 0.5 mg/l 2.18. pesticides (total) 0.5 µg/l 2.19. pesticides (separately) 0.1 µg/l 2.20. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (total) 0.1 µg/l 2.21. selenium 10.0 µg/l 2.22. lead 10.0 µg/l 2.23. tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene (total) 10.0 µg/l 2.24. trihalomethanes (total) 100.0 µg/l 2.25. copper 2.0 mg/l 2.26. vinyl chloride 0.5 µg/l Notes: Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) 4 1. Acrylamide (2.1) and epichlorohydrin (2.11) shall be determined as the monomer content in water. 2. The average values of nickel (2.15), lead (2.22) and copper (2.25) shall be determined from samples of the water supply over a one-week period. The maximum readings in regard to parameters and the harmlessness in relation thereto shall also be recorded. 3. The content of nitrites in drinking water shall not exceed 0.10 mg/l if nitrites (mg/l) nitrites (mg/l) + --------------- = < 1. 50 3 4. The following plant protection agents shall be treated as a group of pesticides (2.18 and 2.19): 4.1. organic insecticides; 4.2. organic herbicides; 4.3. organic fungicides; 4.4. organic nematocides; 4.5. organic acaricides; 4.6. organic algicides; 4.7. organic rodenticides; 4.8. organic slimicides; and 4.9. related products (growth regulators) and metabolites, and degradation products of such substances. 5. For water, only those pesticides shall be determined which are likely to be present in the water. 6. Pesticides (2.18) are the sum of all individual pesticides. 7. The parametric value referred to in Sub-paragraph 2.19 of the Annex applies to each individual pesticide. If the presence of aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor or heptachlor epoxide is detected in drinking water, the parametric value shall be 0.030 µg/l. 8. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (2.20) are as follows: 8.1. benzo(b)fluoranthrene; 8.2. benzo(k)fluoranthrene; 8.3. benzo(ghi)perylene; and 8.4. indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene. 3. Monitoring parameters No. in sequence Parameter Maximum Permissible Value 3.1. aluminium 200.0 µg/l 3.2. ammonium 0.5 mg/l 3.3. colony count 22 °C 100/ml (in water put into containers) 3.4. coliform bacteria (number) 0/100 ml 3.5. Clostridium perfringens (including spores) 0/100 ml 3.6. turbidity no substantial changes 3.7. iron 200.0 µg/l 3.8. taste no significant changes 3.9. chlorides 250.0 mg/l 3.10. colour no significant changes Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) 5 3.11. manganese 50.0 µg/l 3.12. sodium 200.0 mg/l 3.13. oxidisability (KMnO4) 5.0 mg O2/l 3.14. odour no significant changes 3.15. sulphates 250.0 mg/l 3.16. hydrogen ion concentration (pH) 6.5-9.5 3.17. conductivity 2 500.0 µS cm-1 at 20 °C Notes: 1. For water put into bottles and containers, the unit for coliform bacteria (3.4) shall be number/250 ml. 2. Clostridium perfringens (3.5) and the number of its spores shall only be determined if the water originates from surface sources or it is affected by surface water.Clostridium perfringens (3.5), including spores, shall be determined for evaluation of the effectiveness of technological treatment of the water. 3. The parametric value of turbidity (3.6) of water prepared for human consumption shall not exceed 1.0 nephelometric turbidity units. 4. Water shall not be corrosive (3.9, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17). 5. The parametric value of hydrogen ion concentration (3.16) for water put into bottles and containers shall not be lower than 4.5. If the content of carbon dioxide of water put into containers is elevated, the pH value may be lower. Minister for Welfare V. Makarovs Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) 6 Annex 2 Cabinet Regulation No. 63 23 February 1999 Parameters for Regular Monitoring and Sampling Procedures 1. Parameters to be determined during regular monitoring No. in sequenc e Parameter Remarks 1.1. aluminium when used as a flocculant 1.2. ammonium 1.3. Clostridium perfringens, including spores determined for surface water or water that may be affected by surface water 1.4. iron when used as a flocculant 1.5. turbidity 1.6. Escherichia coli 1.7. taste 1.8. colony count 22 °C and 37 °C only for water put into bottles or containers 1.9. colour 1.10. nitrites for chlorinated water 1.11. Pseudomonas aeruginosa only for water put into bottles or containers 1.12. odour 1.13. conductivity 1.14. coliform bacteria 1.15 hydrogen ion concentration (pH) 6.5-9.5 2. Minimum frequency of sampling and analyses No. in sequence Average amount of water (m3) per 24-hour period supplied/filled during the year Number of regular monitoring samples (per year) Number of audit monitoring samples (per year) 1 2 3 4 2.1. for tap water: 2.1.1. not more than 100 to be determined by competent authorities authorised by the State to be determined by competent authorities 2.1.2. 100-1 000 4 1 2.1.3. 1 000-10 000 4, as well as three samples for each 1 000 m3/day in proportion to its part of the total volume 1, as well as one sample for each 3 300 m3/day in proportion to its part of the total volume 2.1.4. 10 000-100 000 4, as well as three samples for each 1 000 m3/day in proportion to its part of the total volume 3, as well as one sample for each 10 000 m3/day in proportion to its part of the total volume 2.1.5. more than 100 000 4, as well as three samples for each 1 000 m3/day in 10,as well as one sample for each 25 000 m3/day in Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) 7 proportion to its part of the total volume proportion to its part of the total volume 2.2. for water put into bottles or containers: 2.2.1. not more than 10 1 1 2.2.2. 10-60 12 1 2.2.3. more than 60 one sample for each 5 m3 in proportion to its part of the total volume one sample for each 100 m3 in proportion to its part of the total volume Notes: 1. If water is distributed to consumers from tankers, samples shall be taken at the point at which the water emerges from the tanker. 2. Samples of water put into bottles or containers shall be taken before the filling of the water. 3. The frequency of analyses, in order to determine the compliance of drinking water to the harmlessness parameters of drinking water determined in Annex 1 of these Regulations, may be reduced if a permit therefor is obtained from an authorised competent auhority and the results over at least two successive years have been stable and better than prescribed in Annex 1. The frequency of analyses may not be reduced by more than 50 per cent. 4. Samples shall be taken regularly in order that the results of analyses be characteristic of the average annual parametric values determined for the water. Minister for Welfare V. Makarovs Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) 8 Annex 3 Cabinet Regulation No. 63 23 February 1999 Methods for Determining Water Harmlessness Parameters 1. Parameters for which determination methods are regulated No. in sequence Parameter Method 1.1. coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli ISO 9 308-1 1.2. enterococci ISO 7 899-2 1.3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa prEN ISO 12 780 1.4. colony count 22 °C prEN ISO 6 222 1.5. colony count 37 °C prEN ISO 6 222 1.6. Clostridium perfringens, including spores Incubation in anaerobic environment on m-CP agar membrane at 44±1 °C for 21±3 hours with subsequent membrane filtration. Count the opaque yellow colonies that turn pink or red after exposure to ammonium hydroxide vapours for 20 to 30 seconds. Notes: 1. Composition and preparation of m-CP agar (1.6.). Basal medium: tryptose 30.0 g yeast extract 20.0 g sucrose 5.0 g L-cysteine hydrochloride 1.0 g MgSO4* 7H2O 0.1 g bromocresol purple 40.0 mg agar 15.0 g water 1 000 ml 2. Dissolve all the ingredients of the basal medium, adjust the pH to 7.6 and autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes, allow the medium to cool and add: D-cycloserine 400 mg polymyxine-B sulphate 25 mg indoxyl-alpha-D-glucoside 60 mg which is dissolved in 8 ml sterile water filter– sterilised 0.5% phenolphthalein diphosphate solution 20 ml filter – sterilised 4.5% FeCl3⋅6H2O solution 2 ml 2. Parameters for which the methods of analysis are not specified: 2.1. colour; 2.2. odour; 2.3. taste; and 2.4. turbidity. Note. Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) 9 When determining turbidity in samples of treated surface water, the method of analysis used must be capable of measuring the parameter values indicated with a trueness of 25%, a precision of 25% and a sensitivity of 25%. 3. Parameters for which the quality of analysis methods is regulated No. in sequence Parameter Trueness of results (in per cent) Precision of results (in per cent) Limit of detection of method (in per cent of value) 1 2 3 4 5 3.1. acrylamide pursuant to technical standards documents 3.2. aluminium 10 10 10 3.3. ammonium 10 10 10 3.4. antimony 25 25 25 3.5. arsenic 10 10 10 3.6. benzene 25 25 25 3.7. benzo(a)pyrene 25 25 25 3.8. boron 10 10 10 3.9. bromates 25 25 25 3.10. cyanide (all forms) 10 10 10 3.11. 1,2-dichloroethane 25 25 10 3.12. iron 10 10 10 3.13. mercury 10 10 10 3.14. conductivity 10 10 10 3.15. epichlorohydrin pursuant to technical standards documents 3.16. fluorides 10 10 10 3.17. chlorides 10 10 10 3.18. chromium 10 10 10 3.19. cadmium 10 10 10 3.20. manganese 10 10 10 3.21. sodium 10 10 10 3.22. nickel 10 10 10 3.23. nitrates 10 10 10 3.24. nitrites 10 10 10 3.25. oxidisability (should be carried out for 10 minutes at 100 °C under acid conditions using potassium permanganate) 25 25 10 3.26. pesticides (to be determined for each individual pesticide) 25 25 25 3.27. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 25 25 25 3.28. selenium 10 10 10 3.29. sulphates 10 10 10 3.30. lead 10 10 10 3.31. tetrachloroethene 25 25 10 3.32. trihalomethanes – total 25 25 10 3.33. trichloroethene 25 25 10 Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre) 10 3.34. hydrogen ion concentration 0.2 pH units precision of the method not less than 0.2 pH units 3.35. copper 10 10 10 3.36. vinyl chloride pursuant to technical standards documents Notes: 1. Trueness of results – systematic error expressed as the difference between the true value of the parameter and the mean value obtained as a result of a sufficiently large number of repeated measurements. 2. Precision of results – random error expressed as the standard deviation of the mean parameter value. The acceptable precision is twice the relative standard deviation. 3. Limit of detection – three times the relative standard deviation of a control sample of natural water with the lowest concentration of the relevant parameter, which is determinable by the method utilised, or five times the relative standard deviation of a control sample. 4. The parameters with respect to determination of the total of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (3.27) and trihalomethanes (3.32) shall apply to individual substances which shall be determined with a precision of 25% of the relevant parametric values referred to in Annex 1 of these Regulations. 5. The parameters with respect to determination of tetrachloroethene (3.31) and trichloroethene (3.33) shall apply to individual substances which shall be determined with a precision of 50% of the relevant parametric values referred to in Annex 1 of these Regulations. Minister for Welfare V. Makarovs