The company “Suez Lyonnaise des eaux” was ordered in 1995 by the Civil Tribunal of Guingamp (Tribunal d’instance -Brittany) to pay a compensation of 251 440 francs to 176 subscribers to the drinking water distribution network. It was condemned for having distribute water containing more than 50 ml/L of nitrates (thus above the limit value of the Drinking Water Directive. The same company has challenged the State’s liability before the administrative tribunal of Rennes for failure to exercice its police powers under the legislation on industrial activities (in this case, agricultural installations) and for non-compliance with Nitrates from agricultural source Directive.