Forever chemicals – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) – have long been a growing concern for drinking water quality across Europe due to their persistence and risks to human health. On January 12, a new chapter opened in the protection of European water sources: new and more stringent protection measures at community level against the presence of these substances came into force.
The novelty is historic for the European Union, since, according to the reformulated Drinking Water Directive, systematic and harmonized monitoring of PFAS levels is implemented for the first time. The objective is twofold: to ensure compliance with the new, stringent EU limit values and to protect public health.
Stringent obligations for member states
The new rules impose certain obligations on Member States. They must first start coherent and homogeneous monitoring of PFAS levels in water intended for consumption, with the obligation to inform the European Commission of the results. This includes reporting data on any exceedances of limit values, contamination incidents and, if granted, any exemptions.
The reporting system, in addition to being simplified compared to the previous directive, is designed to reduce the amount of non-essential data to be transmitted, focusing attention on key information.
The Commission’s action preceded the entry into force of these rules. As early as 2024, technical guidelines on analytical methods have been published. These guidelines, developed in close consultation with Member States and based on a technical and socio-economic assessment, define the most appropriate methods for measuring “total PFAS” and “sum PFAS” in drinking water, thus supporting uniform monitoring across the EU.
What happens if the limits are exceeded
When monitoring results indicate that established limit values are exceeded, Member States are required to act promptly and decisively. The obligation is to immediately adopt measures aimed at reducing PFAS levels and safeguarding the health of the population.
These measures can be diversified and include, for example, the closure of contaminated wells, the implementation of specific treatments for the removal of PFAS from water or the limitation of the use of drinking water for the entire period in which the contamination persists.
Another central element of the directive is transparency: in case of exceeding, the public must be informed clearly and promptly about the quality of the water. This helps build trust and allows citizens to take the necessary precautions.
An action consistent with European objectives
The introduction of this systematic monitoring, the EU Commission says, contributes directly to the achievement of key objectives defined at community level. First, it materializes the right to safe drinking water, a fundamental pillar of the Water Resilience Strategy. Secondly, it responds to the strategy’s own urgent call for decisive action to tackle the pollutants that threaten Europe’s water supplies.
As Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, highlighted: “PFAS pollution is a growing concern for drinking water across Europe. With harmonized limits and mandatory monitoring now in place, Member States have the rules and tools to quickly identify and address PFAS and protect public health.”
This legislative review also aligns with the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, aiming to prevent pollution before it reaches our taps and turning monitoring into useful knowledge for action. The reformulated Drinking Water Directive was adopted in 2020, and Member States were required to transpose it into national law by January 2023. Today’s entry into force of the PFAS measures marks the start of the operational phase of one of the world’s most cutting-edge drinking water standards.
