The Council of the European Union has formally adopted a directive that updates and expands the list of substances posing risks to surface water and groundwater, reinforcing the European Union’s approach to water quality protection. The measure amends three cornerstone laws: the water framework directive, the groundwater directive and the directive on environmental quality standards, bringing them in line with the latest scientific knowledge.
Under the new framework, the EU-wide catalogue of pollutants is broadened to cover a wider range of substances, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, bisphenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals”. For the first time, the legislation also establishes provisions to evaluate the cumulative risks arising from mixtures of chemicals rather than assessing substances in isolation.
Environmental thresholds for several pollutants already regulated at EU level will be tightened. In parallel, microplastics and indicators of antimicrobial resistance are added to European water watchlists, enabling authorities to better identify emerging threats and inform future regulatory reviews.
Speaking on the agreement, Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus, said: “Water is an utmost priority of the Cyprus presidency, and protecting its quality is just as vital as securing its quantity. By setting stricter quality standards for our rivers, lakes and groundwater, we are not only protecting the resilience of our ecosystems but also ensuring access to clean drinking water and safeguarding the health of EU citizens today and for generations to come.”
The directive also reinforces monitoring and reporting duties for member states. New tools include effect-based monitoring of surface waters to understand the impacts of chemical combinations, alongside the possible use of remote sensing and Earth observation technologies. Countries will be required to report consistently on biological and chemical parameters, as well as the overall status of water bodies.
Following the Council’s approval, the European Parliament is expected to hold a final vote by the end of March. Member states will have until 2039 to meet the new standards, with a 2033 deadline for substances subject to stricter limits in surface waters.
