30. 8. 80 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 229/11 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption (80/778/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 100 and 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to .the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2), Whereas, in view of the importance for public health of water for human consumption, it is necessary to lay “down quality standards with which such water must comply; Whereas a disparity between provisions already applicable or in the process of being drawn up in the various Member States relating to the quality of water for human consumption may create differences in the conditions of competition and, as a result, directly affect the operation of the common market; whereas laws in this sphere should therefore be approximated as provided for in Article 100 of the Treaty; Whereas this approximation of laws should be accompanied by Community action designed to achieve, by more extensive rules concerning water for human consumption, one of the aims of the Community with regard to the improvement of living conditions, the harmonious development of economic activities throughout the Community and a continuous and balanced expansion; whereas certain specific provisions to this effect should therefore be laid down; whereas Article 235 of the Treaty should be invoked as the necessary powers have not been provided for by the Treaty; Whereas the 1973 (}) and 1977 () programmes of action of the European Communities on the environment provide for both the setting of standards to (1) O] No C 28, 9. 2. 1976, p. 27. (3) O] No C 131, 12. 6. 1976, p. 13. (3) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (4) OJ No C 69, 11. 6. 1970, p. 1. ‘apply to toxic chemical substances and to bacteria presenting a health hazard which are present in water intended for human consumption and the definition of physical, chemical and biological parameters corresponding to the different uses of water and, in particular, to water for human consumption; Whereas special rules are envisaged for natural mineral waters; whereas, furthermore, it is necessary to exclude from the scope of this Directive medicinal waters and certain waters used in the food industry where such use does not constitute a hazard to public health; Whereas by Directive 75/440/EEC (5), the Council has already laid down standards for surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water; Whereas the values fixed for certain parameters must be equal to or lower than a maximum admissible concentration; Whereas, in the case of softened water intended for human consumption, the values fixed for certain parameters must be equal to or greater than a required minimum concentration; . Whereas it is desirable that he Member States should take the values adopted as a ‘guide level’; Whereas, since the preparation of water for human consumption may involve the use of certain substances, rules should be drawn up to govern the use thereof in order to avoid possible harmful effects on public health due to excessive quantities of such substances; Whereas the Member States should be authorized to make provision, under certain conditions, for derogations from this Directive, in particular to take account of certain special situations; Whereas, in order to check the values of concentrations for the different parameters, it is necessary to provide that Member States take the steps required to ensure (5) O] No L 194, 25.7. 1975, p. 34.