EUdrinkwaterrichtlijn

The EU-drinkwaterrichtlijn, or Drinking Water Directive, is the European Union’s framework for the quality of water intended for human consumption. It seeks to protect public health by ensuring that drinking water released to households and public facilities meets uniform safety and quality standards across member states.

Originally adopted as Directive 98/83/EC in 1998, it set health-based parametric values for a range of chemical and microbiological substances and required regular monitoring, reporting, and corrective actions by water suppliers. In 2020, it was recast as Directive 2020/2184/EU, updating the rules to strengthen monitoring, improve information to consumers, and increase resilience to emerging threats and climate change.

Scope and obligations: The directive applies to water intended for human consumption from public supply systems, including groundwater and surface water sources. Member States must ensure regular water quality monitoring, conduct risk assessments, and implement appropriate treatment where needed. They must notify authorities and the public promptly in case of quality issues and harmonize data reporting and compliance methods.

Impact and implementation: The directive aims for consistent, high standards across the EU and to reduce health risks associated with drinking water. National authorities enact legislation and oversee suppliers, while the European Commission monitors implementation and can act in cases of non-compliance.