© 1985 Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
research-article |
The potability of rural water suppliesa pilot study
T. J. Humphrey, Principal Microbiologist
J. G. Cruickshank, Consultant Microbiologist
Public Health Laboratory Service Church Lane, Heavitree, Exeter EX2 5AD
Correspondence to: Dr Cruickshank
The potential impact of the European Economic Community directive1 on the quality of water for human consumption on private water supplies in Devon was investigated. Of 55 sources examined, only 9 were consistently within the recommended limits, although 24 other supplies passed the various tests on at least one occasion. The results suggested that regular monitoring was the only way of ensuring compliance with the directive. Given the large number of such supplies, however, the expense incurred would be difficult to justify.