Radioactivity and drinking water supply. Part 6: Hazards, studies on incidents and the role of drinking water treatment

Extensive studies dealt with the formation, the release and atmospheric distribution of radionuclides after various possible reactor incidents. The rate of the reactor inventory released in Chernobyl indicates that this incident is situated between the two maximum possible accidents. A further study published in 1971 on the threat of the drinking water supply by atomic catastrophes confirmed that the drinking water supplied in Germany is well protected from radioactive pollution. The frequently investigated decontamination efficiency of the water treatment grants an additional security.