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REPORT (COM(2017)0753 – C8-0019/2018 – 2017/0332(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast)

A-8-2018-0288 · A8-0288/2018

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Michel Dantin

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's amended version of the Commission proposal for a directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast) sets quality standards, a risk-based approach and information duties. It adds rules on universal access to water, minimum hygiene requirements for materials in contact with water, and monitoring of emerging pollutants. It requires Member States to assess water leakage and set national reduction targets by 31 December 2022 and for 31 December 2030. It keeps a derogation procedure under conditions and limits it to three years, renewable once in exceptional circumstances.

Committee position. The committee proposes to amend the Commission proposal to align quality standards with WHO recommendations, introduce a complete risk-based approach, harmonise hygiene requirements for materials, ensure access to water for all, and improve consumer information.

Key points

  1. The directive aims to protect human health from contamination of water intended for human consumption and to promote universal access to such water.
  2. Member States must take measures to ensure water is free from micro-organisms, parasites and harmful substances, and meets minimum requirements.
  3. Member States must assess water leakage levels and adopt national targets to reduce leakage by 31 December 2030, with targets set by 31 December 2022.
  4. A risk-based approach is introduced, comprising hazard assessment of water bodies, supply risk assessment by water suppliers, and domestic distribution risk assessment in priority premises.
  5. Member States must ensure access to water for all, identify people without or with limited access, and set up outdoor or indoor equipment for free access in public spaces.
  6. Minimum hygiene requirements are set for substances and materials in contact with water, with a Commission list of approved substances to be adopted by delegated acts.
  7. A watch list of emerging pollutants, including microplastics, is established, with monitoring and a methodology to measure microplastics to be adopted by the Commission.
  8. Member States may grant derogations from parametric values in Part B of Annex I for up to three years, renewable once in exceptional circumstances, under conditions.
  9. Consumers must receive information on water quality, tariffs, consumption and advice, with large and very large suppliers providing additional annual information.
  10. Member States must ensure that any failure to meet parametric values is investigated and remedial action taken, with priority given to action at source.

Who is affected

  • Water suppliers, including small and medium-sized ones, must perform risk assessments and monitoring, with support from competent authorities.
  • Member States must ensure access to water, set leakage targets, and designate competent authorities.
  • Consumers must receive information on water quality, tariffs and consumption.
  • Manufacturers of products and materials in contact with water must meet minimum hygiene requirements.
  • Food businesses using water for production must comply with certain articles, with exemptions if water quality does not affect hygiene.

Figures and deadlines

  • 31 December 2022: deadline for Member States to adopt national targets to reduce leakage levels.
  • 31 December 2030: deadline for reducing leakage levels.
  • 3 years: maximum duration of a derogation, renewable once in exceptional circumstances.
  • 10 m3 a day: average volume for hazard assessment of bodies of water used for abstraction.
  • 50 m3 per day or 250 people: threshold for very small water suppliers.
  • 500 m3 per day or 2 500 people: threshold for small water suppliers.
  • 5 000 m3 per day or 25 000 people: threshold for large water suppliers.
  • 20 000 m3 per day or 100 000 people: threshold for very large water suppliers.

Legal basis: Article 294(2) and Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.