1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B COUNCILDIRECTIVE98/83/EC
of3November1998
onthequalityofwaterintendedforhumanconsumption
(OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 29 September 2003L 284 1 31.10.2003
Corrected by:
►C1Corrigendum, OJ L 111, 20.4.2001, p. 31 (98/83/EC)
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COUNCILDIRECTIVE98/83/EC
of3November1998
onthequalityofwaterintendedforhumanconsumption
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and,
in particular, Article 130s(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189c (4),
(1)Whereas it is necessary to adapt Council Directive 80/778/EEC
of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water intended forhuman consumption (
5) to scientific and technological progress;
whereas experience gained from implementing that Directive
shows that it is necessary to create an appropriately flexible andtransparent legal framework for Member States to address fail-ures to meet the standards; whereas, furthermore, that Directiveshould be re-examined in the light of the Treaty on EuropeanUnion and in particular the principle of subsidiarity;
(2)Whereas in keeping with Article 3b of the Treaty, whichprovides that no Community action should go beyond what is
necessary to achieve the objectives of the Treaty, it is necessary
to revise Directive 80/778/EEC so as to focus on compliancewith essential quality and health parameters, leaving MemberStates free to add other parameters if they see fit;
(3)Whereas, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity,Community action must support and supplement action by thecompetent authorities in the Member States;
(4)Whereas, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, thenatural and socio-economic differences between the regions of
the Union require that most decisions on monitoring, analysis,
and the measures to be taken to redress failures be taken at alocal, regional or national level insofar as those differences donot detract from the establishment of the framework of laws,regulations and administrative provisions laid down in thisDirective;
(5)Whereas Community standards for essential and preventive
health-related quality parameters in water intended for human
consumption are necessary if minimum environmental-qualitygoals to be achieved in connection with other Communitymeasures are to be defined so that the sustainable use of waterintended for human consumption may be safeguarded andpromoted;
(6)Whereas, in view of the importance of the quality of waterintended for human consumption for human health, it is neces-
sary to lay down at Community level the essential quality
standards with which water intended for that purpose mustcomply;1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 2
(1) OJ C 131, 30.5.1995, p. 5 and
OJ C 213, 15.7.1997, p. 8.
(2) OJ C 82, 19.3.1996, p. 64.
(3) OJ C 100, 2.4.1996, p. 134.
(4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 12 December 1996 (OJ C 20,
20.1.1997, p. 133), Council common position of 19 December 1997 (OJ C
91, 26.3.1998, p. 1) and Decision of the European Parliament of 13 May
1998 (OJ C 167, 1.6.1998, p. 92).
(5) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980, p. 11. Directive as last amended by the 1994 Act of
Accession.
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(7)Whereas it is necessary to include water used in the food
industry unless it can be established that the use of such water
does not affect the wholesomeness of the finished product;
(8)Whereas to enable water-supply undertakings to meet the qualitystandards for drinking water, appropriate water-protection
measures should be applied to ensure that surface and ground-
water is kept clean; whereas the same goal can be achieved byappropriate water-treatment measures to be applied beforesupply;
(9)Whereas the coherence of European water policy presupposesthat a suitable water framework Directive will be adopted indue course;
(10)Whereas it is necessary to exclude from the scope of this Direc-tive natural mineral waters and waters which are medicinalproducts, since special rules for those types of water have beenestablished;
(11)Whereas measures are required for all parameters directly rele-vant to health and for other parameters if a deterioration inquality has occurred; whereas, furthermore, such measuresshould be carefully coordinated with the implementation ofCouncil Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the
placing of plant protection products on the market (
1) and Direc-
tive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of16 February 1998 concerning the placing of biocidal productson the market (
2);
(12)Whereas it is necessary to set individual parametric values forsubstances which are important throughout the Community at alevel strict enough to ensure that this Directive's purpose can beachieved;
(13)Whereas the parametric values are based on the scientific knowl-edge available and the precautionary principle has also beentaken into account; whereas those values have been selected toensure that water intended for human consumption can beconsumed safely on a life-long basis, and thus represent a high
level of health protection;
(14)Whereas a balance should be struck to prevent both microbiolo-
gical and chemical risks; whereas, to that end, and in the light of
a future review of the parametric values, the establishment of
parametric values applicable to water intended for humanconsumption should be based on public-health considerationsand on a method of assessing risk;
(15)Whereas there is at present insufficient evidence on which tobase parametric values for endocrine-disrupting chemicals atCommunity level, yet there is increasing concern regarding thepotential impact on humans and wildlife of the effects ofsubstances harmful to health;
(16)Whereas in particular the standards in Annex I are generallybased on the World Health Organisation's ‘Guidelines fordrinking water quality’, and the opinion of the Commission'sScientific Advisory Committee to examine the toxicity and
ecotoxicity of chemical compounds;
(17)Whereas Member States must set values for other additional
parameters not included in Annex I where that is necessary to
protect human health within their territories;
(18)Whereas Member States may set values for other additional
parameters not included in Annex I where that is deemed neces-sary for the purpose of ensuring the quality of the production,1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 3
(1) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Direc-
tive 96/68/EC (OJ L 277, 30.10.1996, p. 25).
(2) OJ L 123, 24.4.1998, p. 1.
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distribution and inspection of water intended for human
consumption;
(19)Whereas, when Member States deem it necessary to adopt stan-dards more stringent than those set out in Annex I, Parts A andB, or standards for additional parameters not included in Annex Ibut necessary to protect human health, they must notify theCommission of those standards;
(20)Whereas Member States are bound, when introducing or main-
taining more stringent protection measures, to respect the
principles and rules of the Treaty, as they are interpreted by theCourt of Justice;
(21)Whereas the parametric values are to be complied with at thepoint where water intended for human consumption is madeavailable to the appropriate user;
(22)Whereas the quality of water intended for human consumptioncan be influenced by the domestic distribution system; whereas,furthermore, it is recognised that neither the domestic distribu-tion system nor its maintenance may be the responsibility of theMember States;
(23)Whereas each Member State should establish monitoringprogrammes to check that water intended for human consump-tion meets the requirements of this Directive; whereas suchmonitoring programmes should be appropriate to local needsand should meet the minimum monitoring requirements laiddown in this Directive;
(24)Whereas the methods used to analyse the quality of waterintended for human consumption should be such as to ensurethat the results obtained are reliable and comparable;
(25)Whereas, in the event of non-compliance with the standardsimposed by this Directive the Member State concerned should
investigate the cause and ensure that the necessary remedial
action is taken as soon as possible to restore the quality of thewater;
(26)Whereas it is important to prevent contaminated water causing apotential danger to human health; whereas the supply of suchwater should be prohibited or its use restricted;
(27)Whereas, in the event of non-compliance with a parameter thathas an indicator function, the Member State concerned mustconsider whether that non-compliance poses any risk to humanhealth; whereas it should take remedial action to restore thequality of the water where that is necessary to protect human
health;
(28)Whereas, should such remedial action be necessary to restore the
quality of water intended for human consumption, in accordancewith Article 130r(2) of the Treaty, priority should be given toaction which rectifies the problem at source;
(29)Whereas Member States should be authorised, under certain
conditions, to grant derogations from this Directive; whereas,
furthermore, it is necessary to establish a proper framework forsuch derogations, provided that they must not constitute a poten-tial danger to human health and provided that the supply ofwater intended for human consumption in the area concerned
cannot otherwise be maintained by any other reasonable means;
(30)Whereas, since the preparation or distribution of water intended
for human consumption may involve the use of certainsubstances or materials, rules are required to govern the usethereof in order to avoid possible harmful effects on humanhealth;1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 4
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(31)Whereas scientific and technical progress may necessitate rapid
adaptation of the technical requirements laid down in Annexes
II and III; whereas, furthermore, in order to facilitate applicationof the measures required for that purpose, provision should bemade for a procedure under which the Commission can adoptsuch adaptations with the assistance of a committee composedof representatives of the Member States;
(32)Whereas consumers should be adequately and appropriately
informed of the quality of water intended for human consump-
tion, of any derogations granted by the Member States and ofany remedial action taken by the competent authorities; whereas,furthermore, consideration should be given both to the technicaland statistical needs of the Commission, and to the rights of theindividual to obtain adequate information concerning the quality
of water intended for human consumption;
(33)Whereas, in exceptional circumstances and for geographically
defined areas, it may be necessary to allow Member States amore extensive timescale for compliance with certain provisionsof this Directive;
(34)Whereas this Directive should not affect the obligations of theMember States as to the time limit for transposition into nationallaw, or as to application, as shown in Annex IV,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
Objective
1. This Directive concerns the quality of water intended for human
consumption.
2. The objective of this Directive shall be to protect human health
from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended forhuman consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean.
Article 2
Definitions
For the purposes of this Directive:
1. ‘water intended for human consumption’ shall mean:
(a) all water either in its original state or after treatment, intended
for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic
purposes, regardless of its origin and whether it is suppliedfrom a distribution network, from a tanker, or in bottles orcontainers;
(b) all water used in any food-production undertaking for the manu-
facture, processing, preservation or marketing of products orsubstances intended for human consumption unless the compe-
tent national authorities are satisfied that the quality of the
water cannot affect the wholesomeness of the foodstuff in itsfinished form;
2. ‘domestic distribution system’ shall mean the pipework, fittings and
appliances which are installed between the taps that are normallyused for human consumption and the distribution network but onlyif they are not the responsibility of the water supplier, in its capacity
as a water supplier, according to the relevant national law.
Article 3
Exemptions
1. This Directive shall not apply to:
(a) natural mineral waters recognised as such by the competent
national authorities, in accordance with Council Directive 80/777/1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 5
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EEC of 15 July 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of naturalmineral waters (
1);
(b) waters which are medicinal products within the meaning of Council
Directive 65/65/EEC of 26 January 1965 on the approximation ofprovisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative actionrelating to medicinal products (
2).
2. Member States may exempt from the provisions of this Directive:
(a) water intended exclusively for those purposes for which the compe-
tent authorities are satisfied that the quality of the water has noinfluence, either directly or indirectly, on the health of the consu-mers concerned;
(b) water intended for human consumption from an individual supply
providing less than 10 mZ3 a day as an average or serving fewerthan 50 persons, unless the water is supplied as part of a commer-cial or public activity.
3. Member States that have recourse to the exemptions provided for
in paragraph 2(b) shall ensure that the population concerned isinformed thereof and of any action that can be taken to protect human
health from the adverse effects resulting from any contamination of
water intended for human consumption. In addition, when a potentialdanger to human health arising out of the quality of such water isapparent, the population concerned shall promptly be given appropriateadvice.
Article 4
General obligations
1. Without prejudice to their obligations under other Community
provisions, Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure
that water intended for human consumption is wholesome and clean.
For the purposes of the minimum requirements of this Directive, waterintended for human consumption shall be wholesome and clean if it:
(a) is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any
substances which, in numbers or concentrations, constitute a poten-tial danger to human health, and
(b) meets the minimum requirements set out in Annex I, Parts A and
B;
and if, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Articles 5 to 8 and
10 and in accordance with the Treaty, Member States take all othermeasures necessary to ensure that water intended for human consump-
tion complies with the requirements of this Directive.
2. Member States shall ensure that the measures taken to implement
this Directive in no circumstances have the effect of allowing, directlyor indirectly, either any deterioration of the present quality of waterintended for human consumption so far as that is relevant for theprotection of human health or any increase in the pollution of waters
used for the production of drinking water.
Article 5
Qualitystandards
1. Member States shall set values applicable to water intended for
human consumption for the parameters set out in Annex I.
2. The values set in accordance with paragraph 1 shall not be less
stringent than those set out in Annex I. As regards the parameters set1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 6
(1) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 96/70/EC
(OJ L 299, 23.11.1996, p. 26).
(2) OJ 22 9.2.1965, p. 369. Directive as last amended by Directive 93/39/EEC
(OJ L 214, 24.8.1993, p. 22).
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out in Annex I, Part C, the values need be fixed only for monitoring
purposes and for the fulfilment of the obligations imposed in Article 8.
3. A Member State shall set values for additional parameters not
included in Annex I where the protection of human health within its
national territory or part of it so requires. The values set should, as a
minimum, satisfy the requirements of Article 4(1)(a).
Article 6
Pointofcompliance
1. The parametric values set in accordance with Article 5 shall be
complied with:
(a) in the case of water supplied from a distribution network, at the
point, within premises or an establishment, at which it emergesfrom the taps that are normally used for human consumption;
(b) in the case of water supplied from a tanker, at the point at which it
emerges from the tanker;
(c) in the case of water put into bottles or containers intended for sale,
at the point at which the water is put into the bottles or containers;
(d) in the case of water used in a food-production undertaking, at the
point where the water is used in the undertaking.
2. In the case of water covered by paragraph 1(a), Member States
shall be deemed to have fulfilled their obligations under this Articleand under Articles 4 and 8(2) where it can be established that non-compliance with the parametric values set in accordance with Article5 is due to the domestic distribution system or the maintenance thereofexcept in premises and establishments where water is supplied to the
public, such as schools, hospitals and restaurants.
3. Where paragraph 2 applies and there is a risk that water covered
by paragraph 1(a) would not comply with the parametric values estab-lished in accordance with Article 5, Member States shall neverthelessensure that:
(a) appropriate measures are taken to reduce or eliminate the risk of
non-compliance with the parametric values, such as advising prop-erty owners of any possible remedial action they could take, and/or
other measures, such as appropriate treatment techniques, are taken
to change the nature or properties of the water before it is suppliedso as to reduce or eliminate the risk of the water not complyingwith the parametric values after supply;
and
(b) the consumers concerned are duly informed and advised of any
possible additional remedial action that they should take.
Article 7
Monitoring
1. Member States shall take all measures necessary to ensure that
regular monitoring of the quality of water intended for humanconsumption is carried out, in order to check that the water available
to consumers meets the requirements of this Directive and in particular
the parametric values set in accordance with Article 5. Samples shouldbe taken so that they are representative of the quality of the waterconsumed throughout the year. In addition, Member States shall takeall measures necessary to ensure that, where disinfection forms part of
the preparation or distribution of water intended for human consump-
tion, the efficiency of the disinfection treatment applied is verified,and that any contamination from disinfection by-products is kept aslow as possible without compromising the disinfection.
2. To meet the obligations imposed in paragraph 1, appropriate
monitoring programmes shall be established by the competent authori-ties for all water intended for human consumption. Those monitoringprogrammes shall meet the minimum requirements set out in Annex II.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 7
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3. The sampling points shall be determined by the competent autho-
rities and shall meet the relevant requirements set out in Annex II.
4. Community guidelines for the monitoring prescribed in this
Article may be drawn upin accordance with the p rocedure laid down
in Article 12.
5 (a) Member States shall comply with the specifications for the
analyses of parameters set out in Annex III
(b) Methods other than those specified in Annex III, Part 1, may be
used, providing it can be demonstrated that the results obtained
are at least as reliable as those produced by the methods speci-
fied. Member States which have recourse to alternative methodsshall provide the Commission with all relevant informationconcerning such methods and their equivalence.
(c) For those parameters listed in Annex III, Parts 2 and 3, any
method of analysis may be used provided that it meets the
requirements set out therein.
6. Member States shall ensure that additional monitoring is carried
out on a case-by-case basis of substances and micro-organisms forwhich no parametric value has been set in accordance with Article 5,if there is reason to suspect that they may be present in amounts ornumbers which constitute a potential danger to human health.
Article 8
Remedialactionandrestrictions inuse
1. Member States shall ensure that any failure to meet the para-
metric values set in accordance with Article 5 is immediately
investigated in order to identify the cause.
2. If, despite the measures taken to meet the obligations imposed in
Article 4(1), water intended for human consumption does not meet the
parametric values set in accordance with Article 5, and subject toArticle 6(2), the Member State concerned shall ensure that the neces-sary remedial action is taken as soon as possible to restore its qualityand shall give priority to their enforcement action, having regard inter
aliato the extent to which the relevant parametric value has been
exceeded and to the potential danger to human health.
3. Whether or not any failure to meet the parametric values has
occurred, Member States shall ensure that any supply of water intendedfor human consumption which constitutes a potential danger to humanhealth is prohibited or its use restricted or such other action is taken asis necessary to protect human health. In such cases consumers shall be
informed promptly thereof and given the necessary advice.
4. The competent authorities or other relevant bodies shall decide
what action under paragraph 3 should be taken, bearing in mind therisks to human health which would be caused by an interruption ofthe supply or a restriction in the use of water intended for humanconsumption.
5. Member States may establish guidelines to assist the competent
authorities to fulfil their obligations under paragraph 4.
6. In the event of non-compliance with the parametric values or with
the specifications set out in Annex I, Part C, Member States shall
consider whether that non-compliance poses any risk to human health.They shall take remedial action to restore the quality of the waterwhere that is necessary to protect human health.
7. Member States shall ensure that, where remedial action is taken,
consumers are notified except where the competent authorities considerthe non-compliance with the parametric value to be trivial.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 8
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Article 9
Derogations
1. Member States may provide for derogations from the parametric
values set out in Annex I, Part B, or set in accordance with Article5(3), upto a maximum value to be determined by them, p rovided no
derogation constitutes a potential danger to human health and provided
that the supply of water intended for human consumption in the areaconcerned cannot otherwise be maintained by any other reasonablemeans. Derogations shall be limited to as short a time as possible andshall not exceed three years, towards the end of which a review shall
be conducted to determine whether sufficient progress has been made.
Where a Member State intends to grant a second derogation, it shallcommunicate the review, along with the grounds for its decision onthe second derogation, to the Commission. No such second derogationshall exceed three years.
2. In exceptional circumstances, a Member State may ask the
Commission for a third derogation for a period not exceeding three
years. The Commission shall take a decision on any such request
within three months.
3. Any derogation granted in accordance with paragraphs 1 or 2
shall specify the following:
(a) the grounds for the derogation;
(b) the parameter concerned, previous relevant monitoring results, and
the maximum permissible value under the derogation;
(c) the geographical area, the quantity of water supplied each day, the
population concerned and whether or not any relevant food-produc-tion undertaking would be affected;
(d) an appropriate monitoring scheme, with an increased monitoring
frequency where necessary;
(e) a summary of the plan for the necessary remedial action, including
a timetable for the work and an estimate of the cost and provisions
for reviewing;
(f) the required duration of the derogation.
4. If the competent authorities consider the non-compliance with the
parametric value to be trivial, and if action taken in accordance withArticle 8(2) is sufficient to remedy the problem within 30 days, therequirements of paragraph 3 need not be applied.
In that event, only the maximum permissible value for the parameter
concerned and the time allowed to remedy the problem shall be set by
the competent authorities or other relevant bodies.
5. Recourse may no longer be had to paragraph 4 if failure to
comply with any one parametric value for a given water supply hasoccurred on more than 30 days on aggregate during the previous 12months.
6. Any Member State which has recourse to the derogations
provided for in this Article shall ensure that the population affected
by any such derogation is promptly informed in an appropriate mannerof the derogation and of the conditions governing it. In addition theMember State shall, where necessary, ensure that advice is given toparticular population groups for which the derogation could present aspecial risk.
These obligations shall not apply in the circumstances described in
paragraph 4 unless the competent authorities decide otherwise.
7. With the exception of derogations granted in accordance with
paragraph 4 a Member State shall inform the Commission within twomonths of any derogation concerning an individual supply of waterexceeding 1 000 m
3a day as an average or serving more than 5 000
persons, including the information specified in paragraph 3.
8. This Article shall not apply to water intended for human
consumption offered for sale in bottles or containers.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 9
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Article 10
Qualityassuranceoftreatment,equipmentandmaterials
Member States shall take all measures necessary to ensure that no
substances or materials for new installations used in the preparation or
distribution of water intended for human consumption or impurities
associated with such substances or materials for new installationsremain in water intended for human consumption in concentrationshigher than is necessary for the purpose of their use and do not, eitherdirectly or indirectly, reduce the protection of human health providedfor in this Directive; the interpretative document and technical specifi-
cations pursuant to Article 3 and Article 4 (1) of Council Directive 89/
106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regula-tions and administrative provisions of the Member States relating toconstruction products (
1) shall respect the requirements of this Direc-
tive.
Article 11
ReviewofAnnexes
1. At least every five years, the Commission shall review Annex I in
the light of scientific and technical progress and shall make proposals
for amendments, where necessary, under the procedure laid down in
Article 189c of the Treaty.
2. At least every five years, the Commission shall adapt Annexes II
and III to scientific and technical progress. Such changes as are neces-sary shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down inArticle 12.
Article 12
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.2. Where reference is made to this Article, Articles 4 and 7 of Deci-
sion 1999/468/EC (
2) shall apply, having regard to the provisions of
Article 8 thereof.
The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be
set at three months.
3. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.
Article 13
Informationandreporting
1. Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that
adequate and up-to-date information on the quality of water intendedfor human consumption is available to consumers.
2. Without prejudice to Council Directive 90/313/EEC of 7 June
1990 on the freedom of access to information on the environment (
3),
each Member State shall publish a report every three years on the
quality of water intended for human consumption with the objectiveof informing consumers. The first report shall cover the years 2002,2003 and 2004. Each report shall include, as a minimum, all individualsupplies of water exceeding 1 000 m
3a day as an average or serving
more than 5 000 persons and it shall cover three calendar years and
be published within one calendar year of the end of the reportingperiod.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 10
(1) OJ L 40, 11.2.1989, p. 12. Directive as last amended by Directive 93/68/
EEC (OJ L 220, 30.8.1993, p. 1).
(2) Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures
for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (OJ
L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23).
(3) OJ L 158, 23.6.1990, p. 56.▼M1
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3. Member States shall send their reports to the Commission within
two months of their publication.
4. The formats and the minimum information for the reports
provided for in paragraph 2 shall be determined having special regard
to the measures referred to in Article 3(2), Article 5(2) and (3), Article7(2), Article 8, Article 9(6) and (7) and 15(1), and shall if necessary beamended in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 12.
5. The Commission shall examine the Member States' reports and,
every three years, publish a synthesis report on the quality of water
intended for human consumption in the Community. That report shallbe published within nine months of the receipt of the Member States'reports.
6. Together with the first report on this Directive as mentioned in
paragraph 2, Member States shall also produce a report to be forwarded
to the Commission on the measures they have taken or plan to take to
fultil their obligations pursuant to Article 6(3) and Annex I, Part B,note 10. The Commission shall submit, as appropriate, a proposal onthe format of this report in accordance with the procedure laid downin Article 12.
Article 14
Timescale forcompliance
Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that the
quality of water intended for human consumption complies with thisDirective within five years of its entry into force, without prejudice toNotes 2, 4 and 10 in Annex I, Part B.
Article 15
Exceptional circumstances
1. A Member State may, in exceptional circumstances and for
geographically defined areas, submit a special request to the Commis-
sion for a period longer than that laid down in Article 14. Theadditional period shall not exceed three years, towards the end ofwhich a review shall be carried out and forwarded to the Commissionwhich may, on the basis of that review, permit a second additional
period of up to three years. This provision shall not apply to water
intended for human consumption offered for sale in bottles orcontainers.
2. Any such request, grounds for which shall be given, shall set out
the difficulties experienced and include, as a minimum, all the informa-tion specified in Article 9(3).
3. The Commission shall examine that request in accordance with
the procedure laid down in Article 12.
4. Any Member State which has recourse to this Article shall ensure
that the population affected by its request is promptly informed in anappropriate manner of the outcome of that request. In addition, theMember State shall, where necessary, ensure that advice is given to
particular population groups for which the request could present a
special risk.
Article 16
Repeal
1. Directive 80/778/EEC is hereby repealed with effect from five
years after the entry into force of this Directive. Subject to paragraph
2, this repeal shall be without prejudice to Member States' obligations
regarding deadlines for transposition into national law and for applica-tion as shown in Annex IV.
Any reference to the Directive repealed shall be construed as a refer-
ence to this Directive and shall be read in accordance with thecorrelation table set out in Annex V.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 11
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2. As soon as a Member State has brought into force the laws, regu-
lations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with thisDirective and has taken the measures provided for in Article 14, this
Directive, not Directive 80/778/EEC, shall apply to the quality of water
intended for human consumption in that Member State.
Article 17
Transpositionintonationallaw
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directivewithin two years of its entry into force. They shall forthwith informthe Commission thereof.
When the Member States adopt those measures, these shall contain
references to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such references
on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making
such references shall be laid down by the Member States.
2. The Member States shall communicate to the Commission the
texts of the provisions of national law which they adopt in the fieldcovered by this Directive.
Article 18
Entryintoforce
This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities .
Article 19
Addressees
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 12
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ANNEX I
PARAMETERSANDPARAMETRICVALUES
PART A
Microbiological parameters
ParameterParametric value
(number/100 ml)
Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0
Enterococci 0
The following applies to water offered for sale in bottles or containers:
Parameter Parametric value
Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0/250 ml
Enterococci 0/250 mlPseudomonas aeruginosa 0/250 ml
Colony count 22 ºC 100/ml
Colony count 37 ºC 20/ml1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 13
▼B
PART B
Chemicalparameters
Parameter Parametric value Unit Notes
Acrylamide 0,10 µg/l Note 1
Antimony 5,0 µg/l
Arsenic 10 µg/l
Benzene 1,0 µg/lBenzo(a)pyrene 0,010 µg/lBoron 1,0 mg/l
Bromate 10 µg/l Note 2
Cadmium 5,0 µg/lChromium 50 µg/lCopper 2,0 mg/l Note 3
Cyanide 50 µg/l
1,2-dichloroethane 3,0 µg/lEpichlorohydrin 0,10 µg/l Note 1Fluoride 1,5 mg/l
Lead 10 µg/l Notes 3 and 4
Mercury 1,0 µg/lNickel 20 µg/l Note 3Nitrate 50 mg/l Note 5Nitrite 0,50 mg/l Note 5
Pesticides 0,10 µg/l Notes 6 and 7
Pesticides — Total 0,50 µg/l Notes 6 and 8Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 0,10 µg/l Sum of concentrations of
specified compounds;
Note 9
Selenium 10 µg/l
Tetrachloroethene and Trichlor-
oethene10 µg/l Sum of concentrations of
specified parameters
Trihalomethanes — Total 100 µg/l Sum of concentrations of
specified compounds;
Note 10
Vinyl chloride 0,50 µg/l Note 1
(1) To be added following the outcome of the study currently being carried out.
Note 1: The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to
specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water.
Note 2: Where possible, without compromising disinfection, Member States should strive for a lower value.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 14
▼B
For the water referred to in Article 6(1)(a), (b) and (d), the value must be met, at the latest, 10 calendar
years after the entry into force of the Directive. The parametric value for bromate from five years after
the entry into force of this Directive until 10 years after its entry into force is 25 µg/l.
Note 3: The value applies to a sample of water intended for human consumption obtained by an adequate
sampling method (1) at the tapand taken so as to be rep resentative of a weekly average value ingested
by consumers. Where appropriate the sampling and monitoring methods must be applied in a harmonised
fashion to be drawn upin accordance with Article 7(4). Member States must take account of the occur-rence of peak levels that may cause adverse effects on human health.
Note 4: For water referred to in Article 6(1)(a), (b) and (d), the value must be met, at the latest, 15 calendar years
after the entry into force of this Directive. The parametric value for lead from five years after the entry
into force of this Directive until 15 years after its entry into force is 25 µg/l.
Member States must ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to reduce the concentration of lead in
water intended for human consumption as much as possible during the period needed to achieve compli-ance with the parametric value.
When implementing the measures to achieve compliance with that value Member States must progres-
sively give priority where lead concentrations in water intended for human consumption are highest.
Note 5: Member States must ensure that the condition that [nitrate]/50 + [nitrite]/3 ≤1, the square brackets
signifying the concentrations in mg/l for nitrate (NO
3) and nitrite (NO2), is complied with and that the
value of 0,10 mg/l for nitrites is complied with ex water treatment works.
Note 6:
‘Pesticides’ means:
— organic insecticides,
— organic herbicides,— organic fungicides,
— organic nematocides,
— organic acaricides,
— organic algicides,
— organic rodenticides— organic slimicides,
— related products ( inter alia , growth regulators)
and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.
Only those pesticides which are likely to be present in a given supply need be monitored.
Note 7: The parametric value applies to each individual pesticide. In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and
heptachlor epoxide the parametric value is 0,030 µg/l.
Note 8: ‘Pesticides — Total’ means the sum of all individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring
procedure.
Note 9: The specified compounds are:
— benzo(b)fluoranthene,
— benzo(k)fluoranthene,
— benzo(ghi)perylene,— indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene.
Note 10: Where possible, without compromising disinfection, Member States should strive for a lower value.
The specified compounds are: chloroform, bromoform, dibromochloromethane, bromodichloromethane.
For the water referred to in Article 6(1)(a), (b) and (d), the value must be met, at the latest, 10 calendar
years after the entry into force of this Directive. The parametric value for total THMs from five yearsafter the entry into force of this Directive until 10 years after its entry into force is 150 µg/l.
Member States must ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to reduce the concentration of THMs
in water intended for human consumption as much as possible during the period needed to achieve
compliance with the parametric value.
When implementing the measures to achieve this value, Member States must progressively give priority
to those areas where THM concentrations in water intended for human consumption are highest.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 15
▼B
PART C
Indicatorparameters
Parameter Parametric value Unit Notes
Aluminium 200 µg/l
Ammonium 0,50 mg/l
Chloride 250 mg/l Note 1Clostridium perfringens (including
spores)0 number/
100 mlNote 2
Colour Acceptable to
consumers and no
abnormal change
Conductivity 2500 µS cm
−1at
20 ºCNote 1
Hydrogen ion concentration ≥6,5 and≤9,5 pH units Notes 1 and 3
Iron 200 µg/lManganese 50 µg/lOdour Acceptable to
consumers and no
abnormal change
Oxidisability 5,0 mg/l O
2Note 4
Sulphate 250 mg/l Note 1Sodium 200 mg/lTaste Acceptable to
consumers and no
abnormal change
Colony count 22º No abnormal
change
Coliform bacteria 0 number/
100 mlNote 5
Total organic carbon (TOC) No abnormal
changeNote 6
Turbidity Acceptable to
consumers and no
abnormal changeNote 7
RADIOACTIVITY
Parameter Parametric value Unit Notes
Tritium 100 Bq/l Notes 8 and 10
Total indicative dose 0,10 mSv/year Notes 9 and 10
Note 1: The water should not be aggressive.
Note 2: This parameter need not be measured unless the water originates from or is influenced by surface water.
In the event of non-compliance with this parametric value, the Member State concerned must investi-
gate the supply to ensure that there is no potential danger to human health arising from the presence of
pathogenic micro-organisms, e.g. cryptosporidium. Member States must include the results of all suchinvestigations in the reports they must submit under Article 13(2).
Note 3: For still water put into bottles or containers, the minimum value may be reduced to 4,5 pH units.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 16
▼B
For water put into bottles or containers which is naturally rich in or artificially enriched with carbon
dioxide, the minimum value may be lower.
Note 4: This parameter need not be measured if the parameter TOC is analysed.
Note 5: For water put into bottles or containers the unit is number/250 ml.
Note 6: This parameter need not be measured for supplies of less than 10 000 m3a day.
Note 7: In the case of surface water treatment, Member States should strive for a parametric value not
exceeding 1,0 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) in the water ex treatment works.
Note 8: Monitoring frequencies to be set later in Annex II.
Note 9: Excluding tritium, potassium -40, radon and radon decay products; monitoring frequencies, monitoring
methods and the most relevant locations for monitoring points to be set later in Annex II.
Note 10: 1. The proposals required by Note 8 on monitoring frequencies, and Note 9 on monitoring frequencies,
monitoring methods and the most relevant locations for monitoring points in Annex II shall beadopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 12. When elaborating these proposalsthe Commission shall take into account inter alia the relevant provisions under existing legislation or
appropriate monitoring programmes including monitoring results as derived from them. The
Commission shall submit these proposals at the latest within 18 months following the date referred
to in Article 18 of the Directive.
2. A Member State is not required to monitor drinking water for tritium or radioactivity to establish
total indicative dose where it is satisfied that, on the basis of other monitoring carried out,►
C1the levels of tritium or the calculated total indicative dose ◄are well below the parametric
value. In that case, it shall communicate the grounds for its decision to the Commission, includingthe results of this other monitoring carried out.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 17
▼B
ANNEX II
MONITORING
TABLE A
Parameters tobeanalysed
1.Check monitoring
The purpose of check monitoring is regularly to provide information on the
organoleptic and microbiological quality of the water supplied for human
consumption as well as information on the effectiveness of drinking-water
treatment (particularly of disinfection) where it is used, in order to determine
whether or not water intended for human consumption complies with the
relevant parametric values laid down in this Directive.
The following parameters must be subject to check monitoring. Member
States may add other parameters to this list if they deem it appropriate.
Aluminium (Note 1)
Ammonium
Colour
ConductivityClostridium perfringens (including spores) (Note 2)
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Hydrogen ion concentrationIron (Note 1)Nitrite (Note 3)
Odour
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Note 4)
Taste
Colony count 22 ºC and 37 ºC (Note 4)
Coliform bacteriaTurbidity
Note 1: Necessary only when used as flocculant (*).
Note 2: Necessary only if the water originates from or is influenced by surface
water (*).
Note 3: Necessary only when chloramination is used as a disinfectant (*).
Note 4: Necessary only in the case of water offered for sale in bottles or containers.
(*) In all other cases, the parameters are in the list for audit monitoring.
2.Audit monitoring
The purpose of audit monitoring is to provide the information necessary to
determine whether or not all of the Directive's parametric values are being
complied with. All parameters set in accordance with Article 5(2) and (3)
must be subject to audit monitoring unless it can be established by the
competent authorities, for a period of time to be determined by them, that a
parameter is not likely to be present in a given supply in concentrations
which could lead to the risk of a breach of the relevant parametric value.
This paragraph does not apply to the parameters for radioactivity, which,
subject to Notes 8, 9 and 10 in Annex I, Part C, will be monitored in accor-
dance with monitoring requirements adopted under Article 12.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 18
▼B
TABLE B1
Minimum frequency of sampling and analyses for water intended for
humanconsumptionsuppliedfromadistributionnetworkorfromatanker
orusedinafood-productionundertaking
Member States must take samples at the points of compliance as defined in
Article 6(1) to ensure that water intended for human consumption meets the
requirements of the Directive. However, in the case of a distribution network,
a Member State may take samples within the supply zone or at the treatment
works for particular parameters if it can be demonstrated that there would be
no adverse change to the measured value of the parameters concerned.
Volume of water distrib-
uted or produced each
day within a supply zone
(Notes 1 and 2)
m3Check monitoring number
of samples per year
(Notes 3, 4 and 5)Audit monitoring number of
samples per year
(Notes 3 and 5)
≤100 (Note 6) (Note 6)
> 100 ≤1 000 4 1
> 1 000 ≤10000 4
+ 3 for each 1 000 m3/d
and part thereof of the
total volume1
+ 1 for each 3300 m3/d
and part thereof of the
total volume
> 10000 ≤100000 3
+ 1 for each 10000 m3/d
and part thereof of the
total volume
> 100 000 10
+ 1 for each 25000 m3/d
and part thereof of the
total volume
Note 1: A supply zone is a geographically defined area within which water intended for
human consumption comes from one or more sources and within which waterquality may be considered as being approximately uniform.
Note 2: The volumes are calculated as averages taken over a calendar year. A Member
State may use the number of inhabitants in a supply zone instead of the volumeof water to determine the minimum frequency, assuming a water consumption of200 l/day/capita.
Note 3: In the event of intermittent short-term supply the monitoring frequency of water
distributed by tankers is to be decided by the Member State concerned.
Note 4: For the different parameters in Annex I, a Member State may reduce the number
of samples specified in the table if:
(a) the values of the results obtained from samples taken during a period of at
least two successive years are constant and significantly better than the limitslaid down in Annex I, and
(b) no factor is likely to cause a deterioration of the quality of the water.
The lowest frequency applied must not be less than 50 % of the number of
samples specified in the table except in the particular case of note 6.
Note 5: As far as possible, the number of samples should be distributed equally in time
and location.
Note 6: The frequency is to be decided by the Member State concerned.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 19
▼B
TABLE B2
Minimum frequency of sampling and analysis for water put into bottles or
containersintendedforsale
Volume of water
produced for offering for
sale in bottles or
containers each day (1)
m3Check monitoring number
of samples per yearAudit monitoring number of
samples per year
≤10 1 1
>1 0 ≤60 12 1
> 60 1 for each 5 m3and
part thereof of the total
volume1 for each 100 m3and
part thereof of the total
volume
(1) The volumes are calculated as averages taken over a calendar year.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 20
▼B
ANNEX III
SPECIFICATIONSFORTHEANALYSISOFPARAMETERS
Each Member State must ensure that any laboratory at which samples are
analysed has a system of analytical quality control that is subject from time to
time to checking by a person who is not under the control of the laboratory and
who is approved by the competent authority for that purpose.
1. PARAMETERS FOR WHICH METHODS OF ANALYSIS ARE SPECI-
FIED
The following principles for methods of microbiological parameters are
given either for reference whenever a CEN/ISO method is given or for
guidance, pending the possible future adoption, in accordance with the
procedure laid down in Article 12, of further CEN/ISO international
methods for these parameters. Member States may use alternative methods,
providing the provisions of Article 7(5) are met.
Coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ISO 9308-1)
Enterococci (ISO 7899-2)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (prEN ISO 12780)
Enumeration of culturable microorganisms — Colony count 22 ºC (prEN
ISO 6222)
Enumeration of culturable microorganisms — Colony count 37 ºC (prEN
ISO 6222)
Clostridium perfringens (including spores)
Membrane filtration followed by anaerobic incubation of the membrane on
m-CP agar (Note 1) at 44 ± 1 ºC for 21 ± 3 hours. Count opaque yellow
colonies that turn pink or red after exposure to ammonium hydroxide
vapours for 20 to 30 seconds.
Note 1: The composition of m-CP agar is:
Basal medium
Tryptose 30 g
Yeast extract 20 g
Sucrose 5 gL-cysteine hydrochloride 1 g
MgSO
4·7 H2O 0,1 g
Bromocresol purple 40 mgAgar 15 g
Water 1 000 ml
Dissolve the ingredients of the basal medium, adjust pH to 7,6
and autoclave at 121 ºC for 15 minutes. Allow the medium to
cool and add:
D-cycloserine 400 mg
Polymyxine-B sulphate 25 mg
Indoxyl- β-D-glucoside
to be dissolved in 8 ml
sterile water before addition60 mg
Filter — sterilised 0,5 %
phenolphthalein diphosphate
solution20 ml
Filter — sterilised 4,5 %
FeCl
3·6 H2O2m l1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 21
▼B
2. PARAMETERS FOR WHICH PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
ARE SPECIFIED
2.1. For the following parameters, the specified performance characteristics are
that the method of analysis used must, as a minimum, be capable of
measuring concentrations equal to the parametric value with a trueness,
precision and limit of detection specified. Whatever the sensitivity of the
method of analysis used, the result must be expressed using at least the
same number of decimals as for the parametric value considered in Annex
I, Parts B and C.
ParametersTrueness %
of parametric
value
(Note 1)Precision %
of parametric
value
(Note 2)Limit of
detection %
of parametric
value
(Note 3)Conditions Notes
Acrylamide To be controlled
by product speci-
fication
Aluminium 10 10 10
Ammonium 10 10 10Antimony 25 25 25Arsenic 10 10 10Benzo(a)pyrene 25 25 25
Benzene 25 25 25
Boron 10 10 10Bromate 25 25 25Cadmium 10 10 10
Chloride 10 10 10
Chromium 10 10 10Conductivity 10 10 10Copper 10 10 10
Cyanide 10 10 10 Note 4
1,2-dichloroethane 25 25 10Epichlorohydrin To be controlled
by product speci-
fication
Fluoride 10 10 10
Iron 10 10 10
Lead 10 10 10Manganese 10 10 10Mercury 20 10 20Nickel 10 10 10
Nitrate 10 10 10
Nitrite 10 10 101998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 22
▼B
ParametersTrueness %
of parametric
value
(Note 1)Precision %
of parametric
value
(Note 2)Limit of
detection %
of parametric
value
(Note 3)Conditions Notes
Oxidisability 25 25 10 Note 5
Pesticides 25 25 25 Note 6Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons25 25 25 Note 7
Selenium 10 10 10
Sodium 10 10 10Sulphate 10 10 10
Tetrachloroethene 25 25 10 Note 8
Trichloroethene 25 25 10 Note 8Trihalomethanes —
Total25 25 10 Note 7
Vinyl chloride To be controlled
by product speci-
fication
2.2. For hydrogen ion concentration the specified performance characterisatics
are that the method of analysis used must be capable of measuring concen-
trations equal to the parametric value with a trueness of 0,2 pH unit and a
precision of 0,2 pH unit.
Note 1(*): Trueness is the systematic error and is the difference between the mean
value of the large number of repeated measurements and the true value.
Note 2(*): Precision is the random error and is usually expressed as the standard
deviation (within and between batch) of the spread of results about themean. Acceptable precision is twice the relative standard deviation.
(*) These terms are further defined in ISO 5725.
Note 3: Limit of detection is either:
— three times the relative within batch standard deviation of a natural
sample containing a low concentration of the parameter,
or
— five times the relative within batch standard deviation of a blank
sample.
Note 4: The method should determine total cyanide in all forms.
Note 5: Oxidation should be carried out for 10 minutes at 100 ºC under acid condi-
tions using permanganate.
Note 6: The performance characteristics apply to each individual pesticide and will
depend on the pesticide concerned. The limit of detection may not be
achievable for all pesticides at present, but Member States should strive toachieve this standard.
Note 7: The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified
at 25 % of the parametric value in Annex I.
Note 8: The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified
at 50 % of the parametric value in Annex I.
3. PARAMETERS FOR WHICH NO METHOD OF ANALYSIS IS SPECI-
FIED
Colour
OdourTasteTotal organic carbon
Turbidity (Note 1)1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 23
▼B
Note 1: For turbidity monitoring in treated surface water the specified performance
characteristics are that the method of analysis used must, as a minimum, be
capable of measuring concentrations equal to the parametric value with a
trueness of 25 %, precision of 25 % and a 25 % limit of detection.1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 24
ANNEX IV
DEADLINESFORTRANSPOSITIONINTONATIONALLAWANDFORAPPLICATION
Directive 80/778/EEC
Transposition 17.7.1982
Application 17.7.1985
All Member States except
Spain, Portugal and new
Länderof GermanyDirective 81/858/EEC
(Adaptation due to accession of
Greece)Act of Accession of Spain and
Portugal
Spain: transposition 1.1.1986
application 1.1.1986
Portugal: transposition 1.1.1986
application 1.1.1989Directive 90/656/EEC for new Länder
of GermanyAct of Accession of Austria, Finland
and Sweden
Austria: transposition 1.1.1995
application 1.1.1995
Finland: transposition 1.1.1995
application 1.1.1995
Sweden: transposition 1.1.1995
application 1.1.1995Directive 91/692/EEC
Articles 1 to 14 Application 31.12.1995
Article 15 Amended with effect from
1.1.1981Amended with effect from
1.1.1986Amended with effect from
1.1.1995
Article 16
Article 17 Article 17(a) inserted
Article 18Article 19 Amended AmendedArticle 20
Article 21▼B1998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 25
▼B
ANNEX V
CORRELATIONTABLE
This Directive Directive 80/778/EEC
Article 1(1) Article 1(1)
Article 1(2) —Article 2(1)
(a) and (b)Article 2
Article 2(2) —
Article 3(1)
(a) and (b)Article 4(1)
Article 3(2)
(a) and (b)—
Article 3(3) —
Article 4(1) Article 7(6)Article 4(2) Article 11Article 5(1) Article 7(1)Article 5(2) first sentence Article 7(3)Article 5(2) second sentence —Article 5(3) —Article 6(1) Article 12(2)Article 6(2) to (3) —
Article 7(1) Article 12(1)
Article 7(2) —Article 7(3) Article 12(3)Article 7(4) —Article 7(5) Article 12(5)Article 7(6) —Article 8 —Article 9(1) Article 9(1) and Article 10(1)Article 9(2) to (6) —Article 9(7) Article 9(2) and Article 10(3)Article 9(8) —
Article 10 Article 8
Article 11(1) —Article 11(2) Article 131998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 26
▼B
This Directive Directive 80/778/EEC
Article 12(1) Article 14
Article 12(2) and (3) Article 15Article 13(1) —
Article 13(2) to (5) Article 17(a) (inserted by Directive 91/692/EEC)
Article 14 Article 19Article 15 Article 20Article 16 —
Article 17 Article 18
Article 18 —Article 19 Article 211998L0083 — EN — 20.11.2003 — 001.001 — 27