Initial work in this work package will review the current state of the drinking water supply in the EU, with particular reference to water sources, treatment and distribution, and routine and ad-hoc data monitoring of substances in water. Policy scenarios will then be developed on the basis of consultation with both policy-makers in relevant fields (e.g. DG Environment, Water supply companies, consumer groups) and scientists in the relevant disciplines (including geographers, chemists, toxicologist and epidemiologists), with particular references to possible influences of climate change.

Based on the scenarios, models of the drinking water quality ‘system’ which will form the basis for assessment. Information and models needed to carry out the assessment will then be identified.

Contact will be made with government authorities responsible for drinking water supply in the member states (e.g. drinking water inspectorates, water companies, water trade organisations and research institutes) in order to source the relevant data. Information on ingestion and other activities that may affect uptake will also be sought. Based on this information, key substances for further study will be identified, and a number of countries (3-4 member states covering Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe) selected as case studies. Key criteria are the availability of and access to data, extent of the exposure, observed concentrations and likely health effects. Health effects will be based on an initial review of the literature through databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect and Medline. Based on current knowledge substances such as DBPs, hardness of water, metals and pathogens may be taken forward for further study.

Collection of relevant data will then be initiated, including a) concentrations of selected substances in water; b) ingestion patterns and other activities that may affect exposure/dose; and c) epidemiological and toxicological studies of the adverse and/or beneficial effects of the selected substances and prepare the databases. Informed by this analysis, an assessment protocol will be compiled, which will form the basis for work in phase 2.