Should drinking water carry a warning 'Contains dangerous chemicals - May damage your health'

By Enda Graig

Smoking causes cancer

Cigarettes contain chemicals which, when inhaled in small doses, on a continual basis over an extended period of time dramatically increases your potential of developing life threatening cancer. This is now an accepted medical fact which our Government insists is displayed, in capital letters, on all for sale cigarette packaging. You are given a severe warning concerning the inherent dangers - the rest is up to you.

 

Trihalomethanes (THMS) causes cancer

Drinking water, which contains THMs, when either ingested or inhaled through steam in small doses on a continual basis over an extended period of time will dramatically increase your potential of developing cancer and other health problems.  There is a large body of high-level medical research which now believes this to be true. 

This has been happening in the drinking water supplies in seventeen treatment plants throughout Donegal.  Greencastle displays the highest reading of THMs of them all in a water analysis test taken in August 2015. 

Irish Water and indeed the HSE would have you believe the threat of these chemicals is inconclusive.  However, what they don't tell you is that there are recommended limits and these limits have been and continue to be exceeded.  In the case of Greencastle it is twice the recommended limit.  

Neither Irish Water or the HSE issue any warnings to the public.  They categorically refuse stating that trihalomethane exceedance is not a significant health hazard.  Unsuspecting public, including the able-bodied, the feeble, children and infants are all consuming the contaminated water. 

Daily Mail, March2, 2016

Daily Mail, March2, 2016

Similar incident, different response


The response to a similar contamination in Derbyshire, England in March this year was in marked contrast when Severn Trent Water contacted customers to warn them not to drink the tap water due to excess chlorination in the reservoir. 

See Daily Mail March 12, 2016 "Hundreds of families still without water a day after chlorine contamination triggered warning to thousands not to drink from taps"

"More than 200 homes in Derbyshire and Leicestershire are still without water a day after locals were warned not to drink, bathe of 'wash their toilets' with it.
Severn Trent Water warned as many as 3,700 customers across the counties not to use their tap water because higher than normal chlorine levels were detected in a reservoir.
It announced today that the 'majority of customers' are now able to use water as normal but 227 properties are still at risk.
Severn Trent said in a statement: 'As our network gets back to normal there may be times when your water supply is interrupted or you have discoloured water. "

 

Rathmullan Doctor's warning in DonegalDaily

Please read Dr John Carnie's ( Consultant Anesthetist ) article on Rathmullans drinking water supply, in DonegalDaily, Nov 20, 2014

"DOCTOR SAYS TOWN’S WATER SUPPLY IS NOT FIT TO DRINK"

"The retired anaesthetist claims that along with many other homes in Rathmullan, he has been in receipt of hazardous water since 2009 and no remedial action has been undertaken in the last five years.

The main complaint refers to the presence of THMs (Trihalomethanes) in drinking water in the area. Meanwhile the EU Commission says the elimination of all THMs remains a priority for the EPA."


Bottled Life: Nestle's Business With Water

Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe

Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe

The Story-The Truth About nestles

While the world's population continues to grow at an alarming rate, water is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity. The Swiss film "Bottled Life" documents the booming business with bottled water, by focusing on the global leader in this lucrative multi-billion dollar market – namely, the Nestlé corporation in Switzerland. Nestlé currently controls more than 70 of the world's bottled water brands, among them Perrier, San Pellegrino and Vittel.

Nestlé's annual sales of bottled water alone total some CHF 10 billion. And yet the company prefers not to discuss its water business – as Swiss journalist Res Gehriger discovered when researching this documentary film. The Nestlé management refused to give any interviews or assistance or to provide information. But Gehriger persisted, and discovered just how controversial and conflict-laden the company's international operations are.

Res Gehriger Writer

Res Gehriger Writer

Water war in the USA

To be able to sell and make money from water, you first have to own it. In the case of Nestlé this applies to many parts of the United States, by far the biggest market for its booming bottled water business. Whoever owns land or has acquired leasing rights is permitted to pump as much water as he likes. In the rural state of Maine, Nestlé has purchased many such water rights and resources. Every year the company pumps out millions of cubic metres of water, for transportation in road tankers to huge bottling factories. In the small towns of Fryeburg, Newfield and Shapleigh, journalist Res Gehriger witnessed how Nestlé tries to stifle and suppress local opposition to its operations with an army of powerful PR consultants, lawyers and lobbyists.

mandrinkingwater.jpg


Nestlé's expansion strategy

"Bottled Life" focuses a critical spotlight on Nestlé's global expansion strategy in the business of bottled water. In the United States and Europe, the company sells mainly spring water with a designation of origin. In developing countries, however, the corporation pursues another concept – namely Nestlé Pure Life. This product is purified groundwater, enriched with a Nestlé mixture of minerals. Nestlé Pure Life was the brainchild of Peter Brabeck, a Nestlé man almost all his life, a former CEO and currently Chairman of the Board. Today Nestlé Pure Life is the world's top-selling brand of bottled water.

Test market Pakistan

Res Gehriger's research took him to Pakistan, Nestlé's test market for its Pure Life product. The company refused him access to its production plant in Pakistan – but Gehriger did get to see something of life outside the factory fence. In the nearby village groundwater levels have fallen dramatically, and the village fountain water is nothing more than foul-smelling sludge.

Nestlé Pure Life is a clever business concept. And particularly so in the developing world. In countries such as Pakistan where the public water supply has failed or is close to collapse, the company proudly presents its bottled water as a safe health-enhancing alternative. But for the overwhelming majority of consumers, it is an expensive out-of-reach alternative. In Lagos, for example, the mega metropolis of Nigeria/Africa with its population of millions, water always comes at a price. The scenario of a city in which everyone has to pay for life-giving water, is already a sad reality in Lagos. Families eking out an existence in the slums spend half their meagre budget on canisters of water. The upper class?  They purchase Nestlé Pure Life.

Bottled Life documentary directed by Urs Schnell 2012.  Writern by Res Gehringer

Bottled Life documentary directed by Urs Schnell 2012.  Writern by Res Gehringer

Whitewashing the water business

Nestlé places great priority on promoting its image. And when it comes to water, it's Peter Brabeck in particular who does the promoting. As CEO – and even more so after becoming Chairman of the Board in 2005 – he developed a communications strategy which operates under such noble pretences as "Corporate Social Responsibility" and "Creating Shared Value." A preached philosophy – but a practised one?

In researching this film, journalist Res Gehriger comes to a sad and sobering conclusion. It is that of a company intent on amassing resource rights worldwide. With the aim of dominating the global water market of the future.

Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe Water is a human right  Company video

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Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe Water is Not A Human Right - English Subtitles

Reconstructing Reality with Maude Barlow

Published on Nov 6, 2014
Zain Raza interviews Maude Barlow, a Canadian author and the National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians to discuss the issues that surround water, the impact of free trade agreements and the role of activism.

 

Zain Raza interviews Maude Barlow, a Canadian author and the National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians to discuss the issues that surround water, the impact of free trade agreements and the role of activism.

Maude Barlow

Maude Barlow