Scope:

Evaluation of Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption.

This evaluation followed up on the European Citizens’ Initiative “Right2Water”.

Evaluation findings:

The results of the evaluation confirmed that the Drinking Water Directive (DWD) is one of the tools relevant that guarantee the quality of the water in the EU. It fulfils its basic purpose to enforce drinking water monitoring and restoration of the required quality in case of non-compliance. However, the new and more effective risk-based approach has not been introduced yet, and the related quality standards and values have not been revised in the last 18 years, they could partly be not relevant anymore, and do not match emerging pressures and latest scientific knowledge and changing pollution pressure. On the basis of the above evaluation findings, the risk-based approach has been introduced in the new Directive, and the quality standards have been updated in line with the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.

Estimated savings and benefits

The benefits attributable to the DWD could possibly considerably outweigh its costs. However, there is no specific data on the extent of the DWD benefits, even if there is evidence that the DWD contributes to prevent long-term adverse effects and to avoid short term microbiological outbreaks. This finding is strongly supported by case studies, expert judgment and conducted interviews. This indicates that the DWD is in general a highly efficient instrument across the EU. In comparison with the estimated annual costs of €8.3 billion or €16 per capita that can be attributed to the implementation of the DWD, which represent around one fifth of the overall drinking water supply costs, the cost of the provisions identified as candidates for reduction of administrative burden on monitoring, information requirements, and for reporting was found to be negligible.

Which objective(s) does the Commission pursue?

The proposal updates existing safety standards in line with latest recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and ensures that our drinking water is safe to use for the decades to come. It empowers authorities to better deal with risks to water supply and engage with polluters. It empowers consumers by giving them much more information and oversight over the efficiency and effectiveness of water suppliers. It contributes to the transition to a circular economy. It helps EU countries to manage drinking water in a resource-efficient and sustainable manner so as to reduce energy use and unnecessary water loss. It also helps reduce the number of plastic bottles following increased confidence in tap water, improved access and promotion of use of drinking water.

The proposal is a response by the Commission to the European Citizens' Initiative 'Right2Water'. The Commission evaluated the Drinking Water Directive launching an EU-wide public consultation on the quality of drinking water in order to assess the need for improvements and how they could be achieved. Following this consultation and in line with the principles of the new European pillar of social rights, the proposal contains an obligation for EU countries to improve access to safe drinking water for all and to ensure access for vulnerable and marginalised groups.

Estimated savings and benefits

The current annual cost of the drinking water sector is €46.3 billion and is expected to rise to € 47.9 billion in 2050. The significant positive health benefits of safer drinking water supply come at moderate additional costs. The proposal entails an estimated additional increase in set-up costs of € 5.9 billion to € 7.3 billion. Employment in the water supply sector would increase between 17 000 and 26 000 full time equivalent (FTE), but would decrease by 9 000 FTE under the baseline scenario. Costs would mainly be passed on to consumers, but EU funding or national policies could reduce this impact. Regarding affordability, the packages will slightly increase household spending on water services from 0.73% to between 0.75% and 0.76% of the average household income. The average cost per household, estimated for 2015 at € 229, would increase between €7.90 and €10.40 per year. Since Member States have a margin of discretion (e.g. for subsidizing), actual costs would most likely be smaller. Also, the reduction of bottled water consumption can help households to offset costs by around €600 million.

As regards benefits, the proposal would ensure the sustainable provision of high quality drinking water. The introduction of the full risk-based approach would improve coherence with other policies, such as the Water Framework Directive, and allow better identifying potential contamination sources, to reduce risks and therefore to better focus treatment and monitoring efforts. The proposal would reduce the 20 million people currently potentially at health risk in the EU to between 4.7 and 4.1 million. The risk of potential long-term marginal effects and corresponding health costs would also be reduced. Increased transparency on water supply would empower consumers to incite providers to ensure resource-efficient services. Confidence in tap water would be improved, with additional positive social and environmental impacts: reduced bottled water consumption by about 17% (compared to 2015), resulting in decreased greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution. The burden of reporting would be reduced by requiring only essential information (exceedances, incidents) to be reported to the Commission.

Outcome of legislative procedure

The legislative procedure resulted in the addition to the Directive of two new Articles (11&12) and an Annex (V). These brought into the Scope of the Directive important provisions on materials that come into contact with water, treatment chemicals and filter media. Most of these provisions need to be further specified in a number of implementing and delegated acts that are currently under preparation and will be finalised in 2024 and 2025.

Estimated savings and benefits

On the basis of a study commissioned by the Commission, the added provisions on harmonisation of the internal market on materials in contact with water may result in potential savings of up to 669M€/year. An additional cost of 12,86M€ for the next 7years (2021 to 2027) is expected for the assessment work to be done by ECHA, while 2,536M€ for the same period is foreseen for support to be provided by the JRC for the development of appropriate methodologies and procedures.

Implementation by Member States

Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of national law which they adopt in the field of the Directive.

Implementation by Commission

In accordance with the provisions and the deadlines set out in the Directive, the Commission shall adopt Implementing and Delegated Acts.