In August 2018 and May 2019, the regional health agency (ARS) carried out samples seven times to assess the quality of the water in Saint-Martin and all of them revealed compliance with the “quality requirements in force for the 'all bacteriological parameters'. On the other hand, the four measurements made on May 13 between 8:35 am and 11:25 am revealed the presence of bromates at rates between 41,4 and 137 micrograms per liter, i.e. at rates above the regulatory threshold which is 10 micrograms per liter.
Since bromate is not a bacterium but a chemical molecule, it has no effect on the so-called bacteriological balance of water, which is why the ARS indicates that the water complies with the requirements in force of this point of view. However, the high presence of bromate makes it unfit for human consumption.
Bromate is not a parameter that the ARS is required to analyze during each sample. "This regulatory health control program defined by the decree of January 11, 2007 provides for the analysis of this parameter at the point of distribution from once every 1 years to 10 times a year", confirms the French safety agency food.
Between August 2018 and May 2019, bromate was measured three times, in August, December and May. During the first two, the rate was less than 5 micrograms per liter.
It should be noted that the regulations provide for a control "at the point of distribution" and not in the pipes. However, it would seem that in Saint-Martin bromates form in the pipes, at least that is where they have been detected since May.
(source: soualigapost.com)
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