Sanitary control of water intended for consumption is one of the prerogatives of the Regional Health Agency (ARS). Historically, the formal and institutional research for bromates in drinking water in Saint-Martin does not seem to have been carried out before the measurements made in May 2019, measurements which showed the presence of bromates.
The only existing measures available to EEASM are sporadic self-analyzes carried out by the delegatee (GDE at the time) since 2010, the date on which this measure was imposed by the decree of January 21, 2010 amending the decree. of January 11, 2007 relating to the sampling and sanitary control analysis program for water supplied by a distribution network.
If this element may not appear reassuring at first since the production method has not changed since 2006, it should be noted that no major crisis related to the ingestion of bromates has been identified since which can be consistent with the potential symptoms described by the ARS. The measures currently taken therefore fall under the precautionary principle.
New analyzes of the bromate level have already been ordered by the EEASM with an asserted request to reduce the time taken to report the results in order to be able to adapt the necessary corrective and / or palliative measures as quickly and as best as possible.
• Reaction and perspective
The EASM takes the full measure of this new fact and is naturally contractually engaged in an approach of increasing quality of the water delivered to the population. However, studies on the impact of bromates at such low rates on health are rare, the phenomenon having been recently identified worldwide.
Insofar as the production systems and production conditions are identical in Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, which experienced a bromate-related crisis which lasts to a lesser extent, the EEASM asked its delegate in advance to both allow self-monitoring of bromate levels and acquire the technical means to ensure that these levels comply with the standards in force (10 µg / l for French standards). On the subject of analyzes and delays that alter rates, immediate measurement equipment has recently become available in the Northern Islands, an investment made by a private laboratory in Saint-Barthélemy. Note that the rates recorded by the ARS in Saint-Martin in May 2019 are three times lower than what has been noted in Saint-Barthélemy.
In the immediate future, adaptations of the physico-chemical parameters throughout the production and distribution chain of drinking water will be carried out to reduce these bromate levels. In the medium term, the EEASM is engaged in a major refurbishment of the means of production having, moreover, been the subject of a call for tenders, these rehabilitation works are planned with a deadline of 8 months. The “bromate” parameter is naturally taken into account in this rehabilitation of the production tool. The EEASM also intends to extend the nature of the existing partnership with the ARS so as to perfect the exchange of information between the two structures, in particular those related to water quality analyzes, and improve the alert system to the population and the process for responding to possible crises.
Without wanting to minimize this new fact, the bromates that develop over the course of distribution are directly attributable to the mode of production and are a recurring element among all the producers of water resulting from desalination and are therefore the subject globally and well. beyond the territory of the Collectivity, an increasing consideration.
Immediate measurement of water distribution to the most sensitive populations
Without waiting, the Collectivity of Saint-Martin and the EEASM set up a water distribution circuit for the most sensitive populations (Hospital, EHPAD, schools in collaboration with the CTOS, and public services more generally) and will adapt the resources and the spectrum of public distribution according to the results and progress made to reduce these bromate levels.
The COM and the EEASM invite the population to stay in contact with the media and other sources of information, to follow the press releases that the Collectivity and the EEASM will not fail to disseminate as the situation evolves.
• Reminders of the instructions deployed under the precautionary principle:
• Ban on consumption of beverages, for cooking or brushing teeth.
• Water can be used for the following uses: WC, cleaning surfaces, washing clothes and dishes, showers while being careful not to swallow it. There is no risk of skin absorption.
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