New requirements for drinking water quality from 2026

Some communities are affected by a problem of contamination with PFAS and other micropollutants. In response to this public health problem, new obligations will be imposed on local authorities by the new European legislation.

From January 2026, they will be required to add the 20 best-known PFAS to their routine analyses, as well as other micropollutants.

Strengthened "drinking water" legislation

In the European Union, the quality of water for human consumption is regulated by Directive 2020/2184, which is a recast of the former Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC.

This new legislation includes 3 axes:

• Definition of drinking water needs – assessment of needs to ensure good health and hygiene conditions for the population;
• Access to drinking water – Imposition of new responsibilities on municipalities and their public institutions for intermunicipal cooperation in terms of access to water for people connected and not connected to the public distribution network;
• Drinking water quality – A preventive approach to ensure quality water right up to the consumer's tap.

What will become mandatory in January 2026

In line with this approach to ensure optimal water quality, Directive 2020/2184 provides for the addition of parametric values that were not previously considered.

The new parameters to be included in the analyses are as follows:

For the full list of parameters to be included in the controls, as well as the corresponding thresholds, please refer to Annex I of the Directive.

In January 2026, these parameters will be added to the monitoring of ARS as part of official controls. It should be noted that only 20 PFAS selected by the EU are affected by these measures, but that the list will probably evolve.

Micropollutants: the precautionary principle applies!

The list in Annex I is not exhaustive.

Indeed, Directive 2020/2184 requires Member States "to set values for additional parameters not listed in Annex I, on the basis of the precautionary principle."

In other words, if the presence of a dangerous substance is suspected in an area, it can be included in the controls, at the request of the authorities.

How to comply with the new obligations?

Until January 2026, water suppliers are therefore not "obliged to monitor water intended for human consumption" for these new parameters.

On the other hand, it is strongly recommended to set up these analyses as soon as possible, because exceeding the thresholds necessarily implies the implementation of appropriate decontamination techniques.

Local authorities can entrust these analyses to expert laboratories, or to the Saur Group, since we offer "turnkey" analysis services, making it possible to detect up to 27 PFAS, including TFA, in addition to the 20 regulatory PFAS.

And regarding the elimination of micropollutants, the installation of new equipment can also be entrusted to water professionals such as the Saur Group.

In conclusion, the new European legislation on drinking water imposes crucial obligations on local authorities to guarantee water quality and protect public health. From January 2026, the inclusion of 20 PFAS and other micropollutants in routine testing becomes imperative, strengthening the regulatory framework. Local authorities must anticipate these changes by setting up analyses now, and by considering appropriate decontamination solutions. The financing of these actions remains a challenge, especially for small communities, which will have to turn to external aid. The mobilization of representative bodies and proposals for a new financing model are essential to overcome these challenges and ensure access to quality water for all.