On behalf of Ferdergarper, on the treatment of slurry from the livestock farming industry in Segovia (Spain) 

The petitioner reports that no measures to ensure slurry from livestock farms is properly treated have been taken in the municipality of Nava de la Asunción (Segovia) and other regions supplied by the Los Arenales aquifer, affecting in total a population of up to 46 000 inhabitants in the provinces of Valladolid, Segovia and Ávila. She says pollution from arsenic seeping into the soil and water is causing significant damage to the environment. The presence of arsenic constitutes a major public health problem. She asks the Committee on Petitions to initiate the proceedings necessary to clarify whether there is a breach of the EU regulatory framework on water.Information:The petitioner refers to the following EU Directives: - Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste, and in particular, Article 13 on Protection of human health and the environment and Article 15 on Responsibility for waste management; - Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration, and specifically, Article 6 on Measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater; - Directive 2006/11/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2006 on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community, Article 4 of which and subsequent articles require authorisation by the competent authority of the Member State concerned before any discharge of dangerous substances; - Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption, Article 4 of which provides for obligations to that effect; - Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources; - Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control.