The new rules, adopted under the recast Drinking Water Directive, oblige member states not only to regularly measure PFAS concentrations but also to report results to the European Commission, including information on any exceedances of limit values, incidents and granted derogations. If levels above the limits are detected, countries must take remedial action – such as closing contaminated water intakes, enhancing treatment processes, or restricting the use of affected supply systems until compliance is restored.
The directive was originally adopted in 2020, with member states required to transpose it into national law by January 2023. PFAS were included as a mandatory quality parameter due to growing concern about their environmental presence and potential health impacts. In 2024, the European Commission issued technical guidance on analytical methods to ensure consistent measurement of “Total PFAS” and “Sum of PFAS” across the EU.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals produced since the 1940s and used to make materials resistant to water, grease, stains and heat, including in textiles, non-stick coatings, food packaging and firefighting foams. Because of their exceptional persistence – hence the nickname “forever chemicals” – PFAS degrade very slowly in the environment and can accumulate in humans and wildlife. They can enter drinking water through environmental contamination and industrial activity.
Toxicological studies indicate that exposure to certain PFAS may be associated with a range of health effects, including impaired immune function, elevated cholesterol levels, hormonal disruption and an increased risk of some cancers, although the nature and magnitude of the risk vary by compound and exposure level. PFAS are found in drinking water, food and air, making their monitoring an important component of public health protection.
The EU-wide PFAS monitoring system is intended to strengthen the resilience of water resources and support the right to safe drinking water. The European Commission has stressed that harmonised limits and mandatory testing will be crucial for the early detection of, and response to, risks posed by “forever chemicals”, whose presence in water sources is increasing alongside global environmental pollution.