French water supply contaminated with untested toxic chemicals, NGO warns

The byproducts of pesticides can seep into soil, surface water and groundwater before making their way into drinking water supplies. © AFP - MIGUEL MEDINA

Dangerous chemicals are contaminating France's water supply at levels far worse than previously known, with dozens of toxic pesticide byproducts going unchecked, an environmental group is warning.

In a report this week, the NGO Générations Futures found that 56 pesticide byproducts known as metabolites – substances formed when chemicals break down – are not being monitored in groundwater or drinking water, despite likely exceeding legal safety limits.