The Town Councils of Ripoll and Campdevànol recommend that their residents refrain from consuming tap water "continuously for drinking or cooking" when high levels of arsenic are detected.
The quality controls carried out periodically by the municipal water service management company, Somasrsa, have detected an increase in the level of this chemical element greater than 10 micrograms per liter (10 µg/L) in the Ripoll area and Campdevànol. The World Health Organization (WHO) sets the recommended limit for arsenic in drinking water at 10 µg/L.
This chemical element is found naturally in the Earth's crust. As water flows through certain rock formations, arsenic can dissolve and move to underground aquifers, streams or rivers that can be sources of drinking water, according to the US government agency, Oregon Health Authority.
The highest levels of this element in the drinking water network are attributable to the drought, as reported by the two municipalities in the Ripollès region affected by this measure, which will be in force until the parameters are again suitable. for consume.
On both sides, the entire population (more than 13,000 residents) is recommended to refrain from consuming tap water. The resource, however, is suitable for showering, washing clothes or washing dishes without posing any risk to health.
The Town Councils of Ripoll and Campdevànol and Somasrsa have approved the renovation and expansion project of the Drinking Water Treatment Station (ETAP) and its bidding will begin shortly.
The installation must put an end to the water quality incidents that have occurred in recent years and the plant will be adapted to the new legislation.
