Water

Basic steps for taking drinking water samples

• Remove the faucet valve if present.
• Let the water run for 1 – 2 minutes to clear the line.
• Adjust the water flow so that it is smooth.
• Do not touch the mouth of the sampling container (bottle), its cap, or its inner walls. In general, avoid any contact with the inside of the container.
• Rinse the bottle 2-3 times with the same water you are going to collect before taking the sample.
• Fill the bottle. Cap the bottle immediately after taking the sample. If necessary, store the sample before sending it to the laboratory.
• Send the sample to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.
• The water sample, in any case, should be recent and taken with meticulous purity.

The Institutional Framework for drinking water quality includes the following provisions:

• The Y2/ok. 2600/2001 Joint Ministerial Decree (Government Gazette 892/B/11.7.01) on the <quality of water intended for human consumption> in compliance with Directive 98/83/EC of the Council of the European Union of 3 November 1998, as amended by the Y2/3423 act (Government Gazette 1082/B/14.8.01)
• The A5/288/86 (Government Gazette 53B 379B) Health Ordinance <on drinking water quality> harmonizing Directive 80/778/EEC which refers to the quality characteristics of drinking water, the frequency of sampling and the obligations of the responsible person (for the preparation of the three-year drinking water quality reports for the years 2002 and 2003).
• The G3a/761/68 Decree, as amended (Government Gazette 189/68 B, 988/74 B) which includes supplementary provisions for those responsible for water supply, as well as their obligations.
• The YM/5673/57 (Government Gazette 5/58B) Decree, which refers to the methods of disinfection of water supply.
• The E1b/221/65 (Government Gazette 138/tv/24.2.65) Decree, which provides for safety distances between water sources and wastewater disposal areas.
• Articles 8 to 17 of the Health Regulation, which refer to measures to protect water sources and water supply systems.
• The B1/oik. 5508/98 Ministerial Decision, which refers to the recognition of the University laboratories of the Medical Schools of Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Patras, Crete and Athens, as Reference Centers for water control, etc.
• The A5/2280/85 (Government Gazette 720/t.b/13.12.83) Decree, which regulates issues of protection of water sources in the wider area of ​​the Capital (lakes and aqueducts of Marathon, Yliki, Mornos), under excessive pollution, and establishes various restrictions and protection zones.
• It is also recalled that paragraph 1.1 of article 4 of the E1b/221/65 Health Ordinance has been repealed, as the provisions of 46399/1352/86 (Government Gazette 438B) apply Joint Ministerial Decision, which defines three categories of surface water intended for drinking purposes (A1, A2, A3) and their quality characteristics in combination with the corresponding minimum required treatment.)