ANNEX I MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PARAMETRIC VALUES USED TO ASSESS THE QUALITY OF WATER INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Parameter

Parametric value

Unit

Notes

Intestinal enterococci

0

number/100 ml

For water put into bottles or containers, the unit is number/250 ml.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

0

number/100 ml

For water put into bottles or containers, the unit is number/250 ml.

Parameter

Parametric value

Unit

Notes

Acrylamide

0,10

μg/l

The parametric value of 0,10 μg/l 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.

Antimony

10

μg/l

Arsenic

10

μg/l

Benzene

1,0

μg/l

Benzo(a)pyrene

0,010

μg/l

Bisphenol A

2,5

μg/l

Boron

1,5

mg/l

A parametric value of 2,4 mg/l shall be applied when desalinated water is the predominant water source of the supply system concerned or in regions where geological conditions could lead to high levels of boron in groundwater.

Bromate

10

μg/l

Cadmium

5,0

μg/l

Chlorate

0,25

mg/l

A parametric value of 0,70 mg/l shall be applied where a disinfection method that generates chlorate, in particular chlorine dioxide, is used for disinfection of water intended for human consumption. Where possible, without compromising disinfection, Member States shall strive for a lower value. This parameter shall be measured only if such disinfection methods are used.

Chlorite

0,25

mg/l

A parametric value of 0,70 mg/l shall be applied where a disinfection method that generates chlorite, in particular chlorine dioxide, is used for disinfection of water intended for human consumption.

Where possible, without compromising disinfection, Member States shall strive for a lower value.

This parameter shall be measured only if such disinfection methods are used.

Chromium

25

μg/l

The parametric value of 25 μg/l shall be met, at the latest, by 12 January 2036. The parametric value for chromium until that date shall be 50 μg/l.

Copper

2,0

mg/l

Cyanide

50

μg/l

1,2-dichloroethane

3,0

μg/l

Epichlorohydrin

0,10

μg/l

The parametric value of 0,10 μg/l 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.

Fluoride

1,5

mg/l

Haloacetic acids (HAAs)

60

μg/l

This parameter shall be measured only when disinfection methods that can generate HAAs are used for the disinfection of water intended for human consumption. It is the sum of the following five representative substances: monochloro-, dichloro-, and trichloro-acetic acid, and mono- and dibromo-acetic acid.

Lead

5

μg/l

The parametric value of 5 μg/l shall be met, at the latest, by 12 January 2036. The parametric value for lead until that date shall be 10 μg/l.

After that date, the parametric value of 5 μg/l shall be met at least at the point of supply to the domestic distribution system.

For the purposes of point (b) of the first subparagraph of Article 11(2), the parametric value of 5 μg/l at the tap shall apply.

Mercury

1,0

μg/l

Microcystin-LR

1,0

μg/l

This parameter shall be measured only in the event of potential blooms in source water (increasing cyanobacterial cell density or bloom forming potential).

Nickel

20

μg/l

Nitrate

50

mg/l

Member States shall ensure that the condition [nitrate]/50 + [nitrite]/3 ≤ 1, where the square brackets signify the concentrations in mg/l for nitrate (NO3) and nitrite (NO2), is complied with and that the parametric value of 0,10 mg/l for nitrites is complied with ex water treatment works.

Nitrite

0,50

mg/l

Member States shall ensure that the condition [nitrate]/50 + [nitrite]/3 ≤ 1, where the square brackets signify the concentrations in mg/l for nitrate (NO3) and nitrite (NO2), is complied with and that the parametric value of 0,10 mg/l for nitrites is complied with ex water treatment works.

Pesticides

0,10

μg/l

‘Pesticides’ means:

and their metabolites as defined in point (32) of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), that are considered relevant for water intended for human consumption.

A pesticide metabolite shall be deemed relevant for water intended for human consumption if there is reason to consider that it has intrinsic properties comparable to those of the parent substance in terms of its pesticide target activity or that either itself or its transformation products generate a health risk for consumers.

The parametric value of 0,10 μg/l shall apply to each individual pesticide.

In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide, the parametric value shall be 0,030 μg/l.

Member States shall define a guidance value to manage the presence of non-relevant metabolites of pesticides in water intended for human consumption.

Only pesticides which are likely to be present in a given supply need to be monitored.

Based on the data reported by Member States, the Commission may establish a database of pesticides and their relevant metabolites taking into account their possible presence in water intended for human consumption.

Pesticides Total

0,50

μg/l

‘Pesticides Total’ means the sum of all individual pesticides, as defined in the previous row, detected and quantified in the monitoring procedure.

PFAS Total

0,50

μg/l

‘PFAS Total’ means the totality of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

This parametric value shall only apply once technical guidelines for monitoring this parameter are developed in accordance with Article 13(7). Member States may then decide to use either one or both of the parameters ‘PFAS Total’ or ‘Sum of PFAS’.

Sum of PFAS

0,10

μg/l

‘Sum of PFAS’ means the sum of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances considered a concern as regards water intended for human consumption listed in point 3 of Part B of Annex III. This is a subset of ‘PFAS Total’ substances that contain a perfluoroalkyl moiety with three or more carbons (i.e. –CnF2n–, n ≥ 3) or a perfluoroalkylether moiety with two or more carbons (i.e. –CnF2nOCmF2m–, n and m ≥ 1).

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

0,10

μg/l

Sum of concentrations of the following specified compounds: benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene.

Selenium

20

μg/l

A parametric value of 30 μg/l shall be applied for regions where geological conditions could lead to high levels of selenium in groundwater.

Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene

10

μg/l

The sum of concentrations of these two parameters.

Trihalomethanes Total

100

μg/l

Where possible, without compromising disinfection, Member States shall strive for a lower parametric value.

It is the sum of concentrations of the following specified compounds: chloroform, bromoform, dibromochloromethane and bromodichloromethane.

Uranium

30

μg/l

Vinyl chloride

0,50

μg/l

The parametric value of 0,50 μg/l 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.

Parameter

Parametric value

Unit

Notes

Aluminium

200

μg/l

Ammonium

0,50

mg/l

Chloride

250

mg/l

The water should not be corrosive.

Clostridium perfringens including spores

0

number/100 ml

This parameter shall be measured if the risk assessment indicates that it is appropriate to do so.

Colour

Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change

Conductivity

2 500

μS cm-1 at 20 °C

The water should not be aggressive.

Hydrogen ion concentration

≥ 6,5 and ≤ 9,5

pH units

The water should not be aggressive.

For still water put into bottles or containers, the minimum value may be reduced to 4,5 pH units. For water put into bottles or containers which is naturally rich in or artificially enriched with carbon dioxide, the minimum value may be lower.

Iron

200

μg/l

Manganese

50

μg/l

Odour

Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change

Oxidisability

5,0

mg/l O2

This parameter need not be measured if the parameter TOC is analysed.

Sulphate

250

mg/l

The water should not be corrosive.

Sodium

200

mg/l

Taste

Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change

Colony count 22o C

No abnormal change

Coliform bacteria

0

number/100 ml

For water put into bottles or containers, the unit is number/250 ml.

Total organic carbon (TOC)

No abnormal change

This parameter need not be measured for supplies of less than 10 000 m3 a day.

Turbidity

Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change

Water should not be aggressive or corrosive. This applies particularly to water undergoing treatment (demineralization, softening, membrane treatment, reverse osmosis, etc.).

Where water intended for human consumption is derived from treatment that significantly demineralizes or softens water, calcium and magnesium salts could be added to condition the water in order to reduce any possible negative health impact, as well as to reduce the corrosiveness or aggressivity of water and to improve taste. Minimum concentrations of calcium and magnesium or total dissolved solids in softened or demineralized water could be established taking into account the characteristics of water that enters those processes.

Parameter

Parametric value

Unit

Notes

Legionella

< 1 000

CFU/l

This parametric value is set for the purposes of Articles 10 and 14. Actions provided for in those Articles could be considered even when the value is below the parametric value, e.g. in cases of infections and outbreaks. In such cases, the source of infection should be confirmed and the species of Legionella should be identified.

Lead

10

μg/l

This parametric value is set for the purposes of Articles 10 and 14.

Member States should use their best endeavours to achieve the lower value of 5 μg/l by 12 January 2036.