Dangerous bacteria detected in drinking water in France

The French state has requested that Perrier stop using one of its wells "as a precaution," Report informs, citing Euronews.

Perrier has been ordered to destroy two million bottles of water after bacteria “of faecal origin” was discovered in one of its wells in Gard, in southern France.

"Several batches of bottles,” the equivalent of “several hundred pallets,” were destroyed, according to Nestlé.

The company has not specified the nature of the contamination but has reassured that “all bottles on the market can be consumed in complete safety.”

The group has already faced accusations of non-compliant treatment of its Vittel, Contrex and Hépar water brands, as well as that of Perrier.

It noted that a “punctual microbiological deviation” appeared following “the very heavy rains linked to storm Monica which hit the south-east of France in mid-March.