New EU regulations require Member States to monitor per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water in line with the updated Drinking Water Directive.
Under these rules, Member States must monitor PFAS levels consistently and report the findings to the European Commission, including any exceedances of the set limits, incidents, or any derogations granted.
The revised reporting system simplifies the previous process by reducing the amount of data required. This marks the first time that systematic monitoring of PFAS in drinking water is being implemented across the EU.
If PFAS levels exceed the established limits, Member States are required to take immediate action to reduce contamination and protect public health. Measures may include closing contaminated wells, adding treatment steps, or restricting water supply usage until levels return to safe limits. Public notification is also required in these cases.
This new rule is a key part of the EU's Water Resilience Strategy, ensuring access to safe drinking water and addressing the need for urgent action on pollutants that pose a risk to 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.
Jessika Roswall, the EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and Circular Economy, highlighted the growing concern over PFAS. "With harmonised limits and mandatory monitoring now in place, Member States have the tools to quickly detect and address PFAS contamination to protect public health," she stated.
