The European Union’s new Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 (DWD for short) outlines harmonized minimum quality criteria for water intended for human consumption. The directive has direct implications for water suppliers as well as authorities, who must monitor the quality of drinking water more closely than before.
This article answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the practical implications of the new DWD for water industry operators, with a focus on testing-related requirements.
Table of contents
What are the quality criteria for drinking water under the new DWD?
To be acceptable under the new Drinking Water Directive, water for human consumption must comply with the parametric values specified in its Annex I. These cover microbiological quality, harmful chemicals, and general indicator parameters for water quality.1
Examples of chemical parameters and their maximum concentrations in drinking water include:
Heavy metals, including arsenic (10 µg/l), cadmium (5 µg/l), mercury (1 µg/l), and lead (10 μg/l until 12 Jan 2036, 5 µg/l after)
Bisphenol A (2.5 µg/l)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH, 0.1 µg/l for the sum of benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene)
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, 0.5 µg/l for total, 0.1 µg/l for the sum of selected compounds)
Pesticides (0.1 µg/l for individual compounds, 0.5 µg/l for their sum)
Residual monomers acrylamide (0.1 µg/l) and vinyl chloride (0.5 µg/l)
What is the watch list of substances of concern?
The revised Drinking Water Directive obligates Member States to monitor the concentrations of substances included on a European Commission watch list of substances of concern. The Commission plans to update this dynamic watch list periodically, but as of October 2025, the list still contains just the two substances originally added in 2022: 17-beta-estradiol and nonylphenol.2
What does the Drinking Water Directive say about microplastics?
The Commission intends to add microplastics to the DWD watch list of substances of concern due to the potential health risks they may cause.3 Once this happens, a guidance value for microplastics will be established, and water suppliers will need to monitor concentrations and implement mitigation measures if the guidance value is exceeded. A methodology for measuring microplastics in drinking water has already been established by a Delegated Decision.4
What are the DWD rules for PFAS?
The revised Drinking Water Directive sets the following limits on the maximum acceptable concentration of PFAS compounds in drinking water:
0.5 µg/l for “PFAS Total”, meaning the totality of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
0.1 µg/l for “Sum of PFAS”, meaning the sum of 20 compounds listed in Annex III to the DWD.5
Member States are required to monitor these parameters and ensure compliance with the limit values from 12 January 2026. When the parametric values are exceeded, authorities must take appropriate action to reduce PFAS concentrations.
How should PFAS be measured for Drinking Water Directive compliance?
The recommended methods for measuring the “Sum of PFAS” parameter for DWD compliance are Parts A and B of standard EN 17892, which have been validated for all the listed compounds. Equivalent standard methods can be used if they meet performance requirements, for example, regarding the limit of quantification (LOQ). “PFAS Total” is measured using proxy methods, such as TOP assays, EOF-CIC (extraction of fluorine followed by combustion ion chromatography), or non-targeted LC-HRMS analysis.6
One partner for all your regulatory water testing needs
Measurlabs provides a wide range of analyses to support water suppliers and authorities with EU DWD compliance. Some of the highlights from our service scope include:
PFAS analysis of drinking water samples (See example report for extended targeted analysis of 58 PFAS compounds)
Several methods for microplastic analysis of drinking water samples
Analyses for a wide range of additional chemical contaminants, including PAH compounds, bisphenols, heavy metals, and pesticide residues
We also offer similar analyses for wastewater samples to support compliance with the new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD).
Do not hesitate to contact us using the form below for more information or a quote.
References:
1 Part A of Annex I to Directive (EU) 2020/2184 specifies microbiological parameters, Part B chemical parameters, and Part C other indicator parameters. Part D specifies additional parameters for the risk assessment of domestic water distribution systems.
2 The watchlist is established by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/679, with substances of concern listed in the Annex.
3 The plan to add microplastics to the watch list is outlined in Article 13(8) of Directive (EU) 2020/2184.
4 Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2024/1441 outlines the methodology to measure microplastics in drinking water.
5 The substances falling under the “sum of PFAS” parameter are listed in point 3 of Part B of Annex III to Directive (EU) 2020/2184.
6 Commission Notice C/2024/4910 provides the technical guidelines for PFAS analysis, including recommended analysis methods.