Implementation of the Drinking Water Directive

Monitoring guidelines & emerging pollutants

To ensure high water standards across the EU, specific testing protocols and methodologies have been harmonised for emerging pollutants of concern.

Technical guidelines for monitoring PFAS

The recast Directive introduced two new PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) parameters to be monitored: 'PFAS Total' and 'Sum of PFAS'.

• Mandatory Limit Values: 0.5 µg/l for 'PFAS Total' and 0.1 µg/l for 'Sum of PFAS' (in effect since January 12, 2026).
• Analytical Methods: In line with Article 13(7) of the Directive, the Commission established technical guidelines defining the analytical methods and approaches most appropriate for monitoring these parameters. Member States may decide to use either one or both parameters to ensure full protection of the population.

Read the technical guidelines and more about the entry into application of the new rules.

Drinking water watch list

The EU maintains a watch list, first adopted on 19 January 2022, to track substances throughout the entire water supply chain before formal limits are set.

• Current Focus: Drinking water across the EU must be monitored closely for two specific endocrine-disrupting compounds: beta-estradiol and nonylphenol. These chemicals have varying structures that can interfere with human physiological and biochemical processes.

Methodology to measure microplastics

On 16 May 2024, the Commission issued a harmonised methodology via a Delegated Decision to standardise how microplastics are measured in water intended for human consumption.

• Purpose: Standardising this methodology replaces fragmented national tracking systems, enabling Member States to gather comparable, reliable data on microplastics across their water supply chains. This data will support the future inclusion of microplastics in the official watch list.

Material & product hygiene requirements (Article 11)

Article 11 establishes a harmonised framework for materials and products that come into contact with drinking water. This creates a 'one standard – one test – one market'. 

Instead of obtaining several certificates in several Member States for the same material or product addressing various national requirements, economic operators only need to obtain one EU certificate for the use of a material or product on the EU market. 

This EU system enhances public health protection and lowers administrative burden and costs.

Consequently, there are minimum hygiene requirements for materials that come into contact with water intended for human consumption

Here you can see the three Implementing Decisions and three Delegated Regulations (1.IA, 2.IA, 3.DA, 4.IA, 5.DA and 6.DA) regarding minimum hygiene requirements. These were published in the Official Journal on 23 April 2024, available in all languages.

Core framework & timeline

The system applies minimum hygiene requirements to all materials and products used in new installations or repair works (such as supply pipes, valves, pumps, water meters, fittings, and taps) to prevent microbial growth and chemical leaching.

• Enforcement Date: These requirements enter into application on December 31, 2026, with transitional provisions lasting until December 31, 2032.
• The Two Pillars: The system relies on the European Positive List (approved starting substances, compositions, and constituents) and standardised conformity assessment procedures. Compliant products will be issued an EU certificate and a specific EU marking.

Below you can find practical answers regarding compliance criteria, transitional timelines, and certification rules for materials in contact with drinking water.

National competent authorities (under revision)

The contact details of the relevant national bodies are provided below.

Monitoring & reporting

Member States are legally required to set up specific data sets and ensure that the European Commission, the EEA (European Environment Agency), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have direct access to them.

These data sets must track:

• Water Quality: The overall quality of water intended for human consumption, updated annually.
• Risk Management Infrastructure: Information related to the risk assessment and risk management of the catchment areas for abstraction points, as well as the risk assessment of domestic distribution systems, updated every six years.
• Public Water Access: Information on measures taken to improve access to and promote the use of water intended for human consumption, updated every six years.

The European Environment Agency is responsible for regularly publishing and updating an EU-wide overview based on this data collected by the Member States, or upon direct request from the Commission.

Publications

• COM DWD 98/83/EC synthesis report 2020-22
• COM DWD 98/83/EC synthesis report 2017-19
• COM DWD 98/83/EC synthesis report 2014-16
• Impact assessment
• Summary of the impact assessment
• Synopsis report stakeholder consultation