Inquista Inquista
26 Dec 2019, 06:40

SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE WATER ACT

Proposed by Cllr. Edward Firoux (Inquista) :: December 26th, 2019

Preamble

Access to drinkable and safe water is necessary for human life. Contaminated water and improper wastewater systems are not only responsible for illnesses and disease, but they may also result in death. As safe water is necessary for sustaining human life, it shall therefore be recognized and treated as a human right. It is the duty of European Union, its member states, and their governments to ensure that all their settlements have access to safe drinking water and that effective wastewater and sewage treatment systems are in place so that all Europeans can lead a healthy life.

SECTION I. DEFINITIONS

I. Safe drinking water - Safe drinking water is defined as water that has been tested for harmful or potentially harmful substances, and is proven to be safe for human consumption in both the immediate and the long-term with little to no unhealthy side-effects.
II. Settlements - Settlements are defined as inhabited communities, villages, towns, cities or other similar jurisdictions with one or more residents. Settlements are formal communities officially recognised by the member state.

SECTION II. THE RIGHT TO SAFE DRINKING WATER
I. The European Union officially recognizes safe drinking water as a human right and shall treat the right to safe drinking water with the same legitimacy as all other human rights outlined in Article V of the Constitution of the European Union.

SECTION III. ENSURING ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER

I. It is the duty of the member state and their government to uphold the right to safe drinking water. The member state and their government shall uphold this right by:

a. Ensuring that all settlements within that member state have guaranteed access to safe drinking water.
b. Ensuring that all settlements within that member state have effective wastewater and sewage treatment systems.

SECTION IV. SAFE DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION QUALITY STANDARDS

I. Member states shall produce and maintain their own quality standards for safe drinking water. The quality standards for safe drinking water should - at a minimum - meet the definition of safe drinking water in this Act.
II. Member states shall produce and maintain their own quality standards for effective wastewater and sewage treatment. Wastewater and sewage treatment quality standards shall not permit for wastewater or sewage to negatively impact the quality of safe drinking water as per the quality standards of safe drinking water in that respective member state.
III. Member states are encouraged to create safe drinking water standards and wastewater and sewage standards which are as rigours, robust and comprehensive as feasibly possible.

SECTION V. IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT

I. The right to safe drinking water will be immediately recognized upon the passage of this Act. Member states shall deliver safe drinking water and effective wastewater and sewage treatment systems to each of their settlements immediately.
II. Member states shall create and implement quality standards for safe drinking water and quality standards for wastewater and sewage within the next 6 months of the passage of this Act.
III. Member states shall have 6 months upon the passage of this Act to create agencies to monitor, regulate and enforce quality standards for safe drinking water and quality standards for wastewater and sewage.
IV. Failure to implement any section of this Act shall be seen as a breach of human rights and may allow for legal action through the European Court of Justice.
V. As it is the duty of the member state to uphold the right to safe drinking water, only governments of member states may be charged for violating this human right.