WRITTEN QUESTION E-3212/10 by Sergio Berlato (PPE) to the Commission Subject: Very serious environmental situation of Lake Vico Lake Vico, in the province of Viterbo, is the main water resource for the towns of Ronciglione and Caprarola, for which it provides a supply of drinking water. For some years now, Lake Vico’s ecosystem has been in a critical condition. Partly due to the volcanic origin of the lake, its waters are rich in arsenic, a substance which has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Since 2007, periodic and extensive blooms of planktothrix rubescens algae have occurred in the waters of the lake. These ‘red algae’, as they are often called, produce a substance (microcystin) which is harmful not only to the plant and animal species found in the lake, but also to human health. Recent data presented at a convention held in March 2010 confirm the presence in the lake waters of high levels of arsenic and other toxic and carcinogenic substances. The Italian branch of ISDE (International Society of Doctors for the Environment) in Viterbo has alerted the competent authorities on several occasions to the possible risk to human health of using water drawn from the lake for human consumption in view of the various toxic substances which have been detected in it. ISDE has, moreover, called for specific intervention measures to protect and improve the whole lake water system in the interests of public health protection. Unfortunately, no decisive and effective measures have been taken up to now, although the situation is steadily deteriorating and the risk to public health is increasing. It is clear that the rapid deterioration of the Lake Vico ecosystem is causing environmental problems and a serious public health risk. In view of the situation outlined above, would the Commission state what possible intervention measures could be taken without delay, in compliance with the applicable legislation on the environment and public health, to introduce effective protection for the whole lake ecosystem and ensure the inhabitants of the towns of Caprarola and Ronciglione are provided with clean drinking water? 814737.EN PE 441.720.