Attica water could be unsafe
Eastern Attica officials are expected to warn residents this week of heavily polluted water in the area after a recent study showed dangerously high levels of metal contaminants. The study, commissioned by the Eastern Attica Prefecture, found that levels of chromium and zinc in Koropi water reserves were above permissible limits. Chromium levels in the industrialized zone of Koropi were at 100 parts per billion (ppb), well above the 50 ppb limit allowed for drinking water. In the greater area of Koropi, it was lower at 20 to 40 ppb. Zinc levels were also found to be above the legal limit, raising concern about the industrial zone’s impact on the environment. The water was taken from reserves used by fresh fruit and vegetable producers for irrigation purposes. A number of households in the area also draw on the reserves for drinking water. Although the study was completed about eight months ago, the head of water resources management for the region told Kathimerini that she received a copy of the report only a few days ago. Regional authorities said they intend to inform residents about problems with the water this week. They added that they will be conducting more rigid tests and cutting off access to contaminated reserves. Experts said the industrial area is most likely to blame for the pollution but added that further tests are needed to confirm this. «The increased levels of chromium show that the pollution is most likely from industrial activity,» said Andreas Andreadakis, from the National Technical University of Athens. «What is certain is that more research is needed to determine the sources of pollution and ascertain the extent of the problem,» geologist Petros Pasalis told Kathimerini. Andreadakis added that water pollution of this type is often permanent and «difficult to reverse, as change in underground reserves is very slow.» Due to the implications of the study, researchers told Kathimerini that each water reserve was tested twice rather than just once. «This is the tip of the iceberg,» warned one researcher.
