Activity List

An extensive study on the benefit of water softeners in prevention of scale in water heaters, conducted by the Batelle Institute on behalf of the WQA, was completed at the beginning of 2010.  The study clearly demonstrates a water softener to be one of the very best energy saving devices for the home with a typical effect on energy efficiency of 10% over 2 years, rising to in excess of 50% over a 15 year lifespan.  It also showed heavy, unsightly deposits on showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines.  A summary report was prepared and the full Battelle Study can be downloaded from the internet (http://www.flawatertreatment.com/odfs/Battelle_Final_Report.pdf).

A study in the UK in 2005 showed that as little as 9 grammes of scale deposits in a water heater reduced its efficiency by 5.6%.

Scientific Services Inc. carried out testing on behalf of the WQA, to compare the effects of hard and softened water on washing machine and dishwasher performance.  For both washing machine and dishwasher efficacy, the effect of using softened water showed substantial savings in detergent use and in the case of washing machines, the performance was better even at the low temperature setting, thereby demonstrating energy savings also. 

Click here to read the summary report.

Click here to read the final report.

The European Union comprises 27 Member States, most with different standards and regulations for consumer products.  This complication can be a serious barrier and cost to marketing of products in different Member States and so the EWTA has prepared a list of standards and regulations Click here.  The list is intended as a guide to assist the exporter in identifying the standards and regulations that are likely to be of relevance to water treatment products but, as national regulations are introduced, or amended frequently, it is a living document and it should be borne in mind that it may be incomplete or out of date.  Feedback on its use is encouraged.

Since 2000, the WHO (World Health Organisation) has been investigating the evidence behind the hypothesis that minerals (specifically calcium and magnesium) in drinking water may be beneficial to cardiovascular disease. In March 2009, the WHO published a booklet: Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking-water, Public health significance (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/publication_9789241563550/en/). The booklet presents the current position of the WHO following several years of investigation and, specifically, a Symposium on Health Effects of Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water, held in Baltimore in April 2006.

The conclusion of the UKWTA (link to report) is that the evidence for a potential health benefit from water hardness is very weak and confined to magnesium content, for which the contribution to dietary intake would be trivial. The justification for any informative action is, at this stage, highly questionable and, when balanced against the benefits of soft (or softened) water, and against the benefits of optimum hydration, positive statement or action is inappropriate unless and until there are definitive conclusions from the recommended research.

In January 2010, the WHO posted on its website a Background Document on Hardness in Drinking-water, which was intended to be used for the development of their Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. This document discriminated against the water treatment industry unjustifiably by making specific and exclusive references to softening and reverse osmosis, and a response (link to letter) was sent to the WHO by the EWTA and other companies and associations. The WHO response (link to letter) acknowledged the discrimination and expressed the intention to address other relevant sources.

The background document has now been revised: (http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2010/WHO_HSE_WSH_10.01_10_Rev1_eng.pdf) and it now addresses other sources of water supply such as desalinated, reused, naturally soft and rain water. It is also more balanced in the way which it represents and interprets the evidence for health benefits associated with hardness minerals in drinking-water. However, it makes reference to increased amounts of chloride in softened water which is technically incorrect and it refers to “recommended values” when considering reconstituting magnesium or calcium levels in treated water without defining the recommended values. In fact, the latest (fourth) version of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789241548151_eng.pdf were posted on the WHO website on 4th July 2011 and they identify  “There are insufficient data to suggest either minimum or maximum concentrations for minerals at this time...”. A letter has been sent to the WHO to clarify these and other points:Letter to WHO .

Softened water is sometimes mistakenly associated with the potentially corrosive properties of naturally soft water.  EWTA explains the background to this misconception (Click here for detailed position) and identifies the definitive positions of the industry regarding corrosion and softened water, referring to studies conducted by associations based in Europe and the USA.

Many new owners of domestic water softeners have reported a significant and often rapid improvement to the condition of eczema sufferers in their homes. Some GPs and dermatological consultants have also reported a substantial improvement to patients who have moved into areas of the country where the water supply is soft. This was borne out by the results of mapping studies that have shown a lower incidence of childhood eczema in areas supplied with naturally soft water. A recent water-softener intervention trial was carried out in the UK and did not show a benefit (www.swet-trial.co.uk). However, UKWTA members continue to receive consumer reports of improvement to eczema conditions when softeners are installed in their premises and a formal database of these reports is being prepared. Click here to read the UKWTA Position Paper

The National Standards Body for Spain, AENOR, officially approved the above standard on 3^rd November 2010 having informed CEN of its intention to prepare the standard on 7^th February 2008.

The EWTA considers that this publication represents a barrier to trade because its regulatory status is unclear, it conflicts with the Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC by requiring compliance with Indicator Parameters which are not mandatory under that Directive, and by permitting some mandatory parametric values to be exceeded, and it fails to comply with the CEN standstill agreement by setting test methods which conflict with current standards produced by CEN/TC 164/WG 3. The matter is being raised with CEN through the standards bodies.

Click here to download the EWTA Position Paper.

In 2006, the Italian Ministry of Health published a proposed revision of its decree 443/1991 “Regulations to implement technical provisions regarding equipment for the domestic treatment of drinking water” through TRIS in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC. The proposal contained many onerous and unnecessary technical requirements for water treatment equipment and a number of objections were raised by the industry resulting in the Commission raising a “detailed opinion”. This proposal was then withdrawn for review.

A further revision was posted on the TRIS website in October 2010 and essentially removes direct reference to specific product technical requirements and identifies the manufacturers’ information and the responsibility of local authorities in control of the requirements. But it identifies an “Agreement” has been reached between the state and the regions to adopt within 180 days from the entry into effect of this decree, “governing the official testing of hygienic/sanitary aspects” and that this agreement “governs the forms of applying procedures for the nationwide testing and monitoring of devices”.

Without the detail of this agreement, it is not possible to identify whether it contains any or all of the previous objections to the proposed revision of 2006 and the EWTA has responded (www.http://assets/PDFs/EWTA-Position-Proposed-Italian-Decree-663.pdf) to the Commision. The Commission has responded that, under Directive 98/34/EC, it is only able to comment on technical content. It would seem from this that it is acceptable to publish a regulation, omitting the controversial technical content and publish it after the regualtion hhas been approved.

The outcome was very useful in that it reaffirmed the awareness of the Commission to this issue and their commitment to seek the input from industry – and their intention to liaise with their representation in Italy. In the meantime, DG Enterprise and our industry representatives are alert to the adoption of the revised decree and the development and publication of the Agreement and Guidelines.

Collective promotion has the goal of introducing and supporting companies’ marketing, impact and credibility.

By spreading messages on both a European and a national level, EWTA has an increased impact on national and international press and politicians.

a.  Metau Conference - Metals and Related Substances in Drinking Water

This conference was attended partly because it embraced health issues related to metals and minerals in drinking water and partly because it addressed corrosion problems - and specifically included domestic reverse osmosis.  A report was prepared and since the conference, there has been increasing activity towards the preparation of a booklet (monograph) on mineral balance in drinking water.  We are maintaining an interest to hopefully coordinate balanced input.

b.  WQA - Reports from Autumn 2010 and March 2011 Conferences

The United States Water Quality Association (WQA) meets twice a year - in March and September/October. Tony Frost is currently serving as International Director for the WQA and attends both meetings. A summary report is prepared to briefly include those issues that are perceived to be of relevance to the EU market. More detail is available on request.

Click below for reports from recent meetings.

March 2011

September 2011

c.  CEN/TC164 Report

CEN (Comite Europeen de Normalisation) is the European standards body (www.cen.eu) and TC164 is the technical committee responsible for standards associated with water supply. The EWTA was accepted as an Observer Member in July 2010 and our nominated delegate attended the last TC164 meeting in December 2010. A report has been prepared; the main issue of concern at present is the developments relating to harmonisation of assessment for materials suitability.  Our representative, Tony Frost attends meetings on behalf of EWTA.

Click below for details of reports:

28/29 June 2011

1 February 2012

d.  CEN/TC164 WG13

WG13 is the Working Group within TC164 which deals with water conditioning (treatment) in buildings. Over the last 15 years it has prepared and published standards for water treatment products (softeners, filters, dosing gear, etc). Although compliance with the standards is mandatory at present and self-certification is accepted, members of CEN are obliged to adopt those standards or remove conflicting standards. WG14 meets once or twice a year and the main issue at present is the developments relating to harmonisation of assessment for materials suitability. Tony Frost attends as the BSI official delegate and produces a report.

e.  Joint WQA/EWTA Meeting at Aquatech 2011

Joint WQA EWTA Meeting at Aquatech 2011

A joint meeting of the EWTA and the International (and International Standards and Regulations) Sections of the WQA, was held at Aquatech in Amsterdam on 1st November 2011.

The EWTA agenda comprised presentations by:

- the Chairman, Mike Pickavance, covering the Objectives, Structure and Current Activities of the EWTA

- the Physical Water Treatment Section Chairman, Dr Carl Jasper, on the Benefits of Softened Water

- the Water Softener Section Director, Luc Chantraine, on the issue of Corrosion and Softened Water

- the Technical Director, Tony Frost, who gave an activities update: Activities Update

The WQA agendas comprised current progress in international cooperation, particularly in India and the Far East, and developments in relevant, national standards and regulations around the world. See the presentation here

Minutes from the WQA section of the meeting can be found here