REPRESENTATION PERMANENTE
DE L'IRLANDE
AUPRES DE
L'UNION EUROPEENNE

RUE FROISSART 89-93
1040 BRUXELLES

TEL. 230 85 80

 

FAX 230 32 03

6" April, 2001

Secretary-General

Commission of the European Union
Rue de laLoi

B 1049 Brussels

 

Dear Secretary-General

I have been asked by my authorities to refer to your letter dated 28 July 2000 and my responses of
26 September, 2000, 5 December 2000 and 2 February 2001 regarding Complaint 90/5220
concerning Directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances dıscharged
into the aquatic environment of the Community.

My authorities have asked me to forward a copy of a Report prepared by the Environmental
Protection Agency entitled ‘A Survey of Dangerous Substances in Surface Freshwaters 1999-2000.
The survey covered a total of 78 substances (pesticides, metals and volatileorganic compounds) and
was carried out at 74 sites where pollution by such substances was most likely e.g. downstream of
major towns, areas of intensive arable farming. The survey indicates that concentrations of the
surveyed substances in surface freshwaters are very low, and do not present a significant threat to
water quality in Ireland.

Yours sincerely

Environment Attache

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