Drinking water: For human consumption only? The amendment of directive 80/778/EEC parameter 55 in the light of aquatic toxicology

In the current debate on the amendment of the European Drinking Water Directive (80/778/EEC) it is proposed that maximum admissible concentrations for pesticides and related products intended for human consumption shall be based on toxicological evidence. This paper compares limit values for human drinking water, based on mammal toxicology with aquatic toxicity data and water quality objectives for several pesticides proposed for the EC positive list. As aquatic organisms show higher sensitivities to pesticides it is concluded that sustainable water management practises require acknowledgement of ecotoxicological evidence.