The current Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC last amended in 2015, is replaced by a new Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 in force 12th January 2021. Member states have two years to bring in national legislation. We will add this Directive to Cardinal EHS Legislation Registers &a Checklists shortly.
The new EU Drinking Water Directive is here.
Key features of the revised Directive are:
• Reinforced water quality standards which are more stringent than WHO recommendations.
• Tackling emerging pollutants, such as endocrine disruptors and PFA’s, as well as microplastics – for which harmonised analytical methods will be developed in 2021.
• A preventive approach favouring actions to reduce pollution at source by introducing the “risk based approach”. This is based on an in-depth analysis of the whole water cycle, from source to distribution.
• Measures to ensure better access to water, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised groups.
• Measures to promote tap water, including in public spaces and restaurants, to reduce (plastic) bottle consumption.
• Harmonisation of the quality standards for materials and products in contact with water, including a reinforcement of the limit values for lead. This will be regulated at EU level with the support of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
• Measures to reduce water leakages and to increase transparency of the sector.
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