BRACCIANO – ARSENIC, INSTALLED TWO WATER TANKS FOR AREAS SERVED BY THE AQUEDUCT "LEAGUE"

Following the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Healthà and the finding of the presence of arsenic in quantitiesà greater to what the European Commission stipulates in the’October last, on Jan. 21, 2011 è An’ordinance has been issued establishing a ban on the use for drinking purposes of the’water from the municipal water supply system “League”. The average values recorded in this’aqueduct water, in fact, are found to be between 20 micrograms and 50 micrograms per liter, albeit with different variations depending on the weather and points of withdrawal.

The area affected by the’ordinance concerns the hamlet of Vigna di Valle and the SP 493 Braccianese-Claudia area Settevene Palo II trunk, in which two 5.000 liters each for the’alternative supply of drinking water available to citizens. The two tanks, in line with all hygienic and sanitary standards required by law, have been installed by the Municipal Civil Defense Group in Pratigliolo Street (section between Cannone Street and Reclamation Street) and in Macchia Street (Lottizzazione area “Contrada Verde”) and are alreadyà operational. To take care of the drinking water supply, which will beà regulated by the amountà Of consumption that will be recorded, è the Bracciano Ambiente SpA.

In case of needà, a third tank è già ready for the’installation.

The use restrictions for the area identified in the ordinance are: drinking water; cooking and reconstitution of food; preparation of contact food where the’water is significant ingredient in contact with l’food for prolonged times (e.g., rehydration products or brines); use by food businesses. The permitted uses of the’water concern: all personal hygiene operations (including brushing teeth); all household hygiene operations; food preparation in which l’Water is not a significant ingredient, both in contact with the’food for a short time and is, for the most part removed from the surface of the food (e.g., washing fruits and vegetables); l’use in commercial establishments since it is occasional use by the consumer.

It should be noted that for the rest of the municipal territory, which is approved by the’aqueduct “Fiora”, in which the concentration of arsenic in water is found to be less than 20 micrograms per liter, the only restrictions imposed are rehydration and reconstitution food and consumption by children under three years of ageà. All other uses (human consumption, drinking, domestic use, and food use) are permitted.

It is confirmed that this is a temporary measure given that è già been conferring the’commission for the implementation of a water filtration system of the’aqueduct “Alloy”, successfully experimented with in recent months, which will allow theà l’Lowering arsenic and fluoride levels in areas currently out of compliance. The tender è was won by the same companyà which carried out the experimentation and the time of completion of the work è estimated in about three months.

For more information è possible to visit www.common.bracciano.rm.it (on the hom page and in the “Civil Defense”) or turn to the’Public Relations Office located on the ground floor of the Municipal Building at Piazza IV Novembre, 6.