Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper): 1,2,4-triazole from metconazole is found in West Flanders water. Flemish Minister Jo Brouns raised limits to 1 ug/L for supply, amid health concerns.
1,2,4-triazole, a byproduct of the antifungal drug metconazole, has been found in water sources in West Flanders, particularly in the Westhoek region. The levels detected are above the European safety limit of 0.1 micrograms per liter.
This contamination is concerning since these areas are crucial for supplying drinking water. Tests by De Watergroep, the regional water supplier, showed that the triazole levels exceeded acceptable limits, creating a challenge in balancing water quality with the need for supply. Despite this, De Watergroep emphasized the necessity of continuing to extract water from these sources to ensure there is enough for the local population.
Why did Jo Brouns raise 1,2,4-Triazole limits in water?
On December 20, Flemish Minister Jo Brouns allowed De Watergroep to keep taking water from areas with high levels of 1,2,4-triazole by raising the safe limit to 1 microgram per liter, which is ten times higher than the usual European standard.
This change will last for two years and is meant to ensure that people in West Flanders have enough drinking water. Environmentalists mentioned that it had raised worries about health and environmental risks since European drinking water rules don’t specifically cover 1,2,4-triazole.
Westhoek faces water quality crisis amid pesticide pollution
The Westhoek region, vital for drinking water in West Flanders, is facing serious issues due to pollution from pesticides and chemicals. Water extraction sometimes needs to stop when pesticide levels are too high, raising concerns about water quality.
Recent studies found significant amounts of Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a type of PFAS that comes from pesticides and is known for sticking around in the environment. This makes it difficult to clean the water, as filtering both TFA and 1,2,4-triazole is complex and expensive, complicating efforts to ensure safe drinking water for the community.
Flemish Minister Jo Brouns is backing a temporary rule that lets higher levels of triazole in water, saying they are working to keep health risks low. He compared this situation to how TFA contamination is managed, saying both follow a cautious approach.
Brouns highlighted that the interim limit of 1 microgram per liter for 1,2,4-triazole is stricter than what the World Health Organization recommends. He emphasized that the aim is to take practical steps to protect the water supply while looking for long-term solutions, balancing the need for available water with public health and environmental concerns.
