New EU-wide protections against PFAS in drinking water come into effect

Under new rules entering into application today (Jan 12), Member States must monitor, in a harmonised way, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in drinking water to ensure compliance with the new EU limit values under the recast Drinking Water Directive.

They will also have to inform the Commission of these monitoring results. This includes data on exceedances of the limit values, incidents and any granted derogations.

The new reporting system is simpler than under the previous Drinking Water Directive and reduces the amount of data to be reported. It is the first time systematic monitoring of PFAS in drinking water is being implemented in the EU.

If the limit values are exceeded, Member States must take action to reduce the level of PFAS and protect public health, while also informing the public. These measures may include closing contaminated wells, adding treatment steps to remove PFAS, or restricting the use of drinking water supplies for as long as the exceedance continues. 

This contributes directly to a key objective of the Water Resilience Strategy – the right to safe drinking water. It also responds to the strategy’s call for urgent action to tackle pollutants that threaten Europe’s drinking water sources.  

In 2024, to support consistent monitoring across the EU, the Commission issued technical guidelines on analytical methods for measuring the ‘PFAS Total’ and ‘Sum of PFAS’ in drinking water.

These guidelines are based on a technical and socio-economic assessment and were developed in close consultation with Member States. They set out the most appropriate methods for monitoring PFAS under the recast directive.

“PFAS pollution is a growing concern for drinking water across Europe. With harmonised limits and mandatory monitoring now in force, Member States have the rules and tools to swiftly detect and address PFAS to protect public health.”

 Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy

Background

The recast Drinking Water Directive was adopted in 2020, with Member States required to transpose the directive into national law by January 2023.

The recast directive guarantees safer access to water for all Europeans and ensures world-leading standards for drinking water, in line with the Zero Pollution Action Plan and the Water Resilience Strategy.

More information

Drinking Water Directive | European Commission

Water Resilience Strategy | European Commission