A new EU directive revising rules for surface and groundwaters has today (Monday, May 11) entered into force.

The revised legislation, first proposed by the European Commission in 2022, updates lists of water pollutants to align with the latest scientific advice.

The updated lists cover certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, known as 'forever chemicals'), pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.

Microplastics will also be addressed for the first time, as well as indicators of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and sensitive groundwater ecosystems.

Water

The commission said new substances will be monitored and more strictly controlled in surface waters and groundwater.

The revised law also introduces a requirement to test so-called "effect-based monitoring".

Rather than measuring individual pollutants, the commission said this method assesses the combined risk to water quality and has the "potential to make monitoring more thorough and efficient".

The revised legislation updates the limits for pollutants already included in the lists.

Six substances that no longer pose an EU-wide risk, due to being banned or restricted, are moved to new lists of "pollutants of national concern".

Reporting

The commission said the revision also "reduces administrative burden" for EU member states by streamlining reporting requirements.

The commission said digital tools, to be developed in cooperation with the European Environment Agency, will make it easier for countries to share monitoring data.

The new law incorporates a definition of "non-deterioration" and adds the possibility for two types of activity to go ahead, subject to strict safeguards.

This includes improvement works such as bridge reconstruction or flood-protection works that might only have temporary impacts.

It also covers activities "merely relocating pollution, without actually increasing it", such as dewatering for the purpose of construction, or the dredging of sediments.

Under the law, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will have a major role in preparing future revisions of the pollutant lists and their standards.

EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, said the new rules are an important step to reduce pollution.

"This is exactly what we set out to do in the European Water Resilience Strategy – to make Europe more resilient in terms of water.

"Clean water matters for people's health, for our environment, and for our economy. It is one of the smartest investments we can make, and it will pay off many times over," she added.

Three key pieces of EU legislation will be now be adapted to reflect the changes: the Water Framework Directive (WFD); the Environmental Quality Standards Directive; and the Groundwater Directive.

The WFD requires member states to protect and, where necessary, restore water bodies to reach good status, and to prevent deterioration.

EU member states will need to implement the requirements and transpose the amendments to the three relevant directives by December 22, 2027.