11/05/2026
11 May 2026, new EU rules, expanding the list of pollutants to be monitored and controlled in surface water and groundwater, entered into force. Certain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, pesticides and bisphenols are now subject to binding quality standards in surface waters.
For the first time, the EU legislation requires an assessment of the combined risk of a chemical mixture — recognising that pollutants do not act in isolation.
It will now be possible to add microplastics and antimicrobial resistance indicators to the EU water watchlists, gathering data on occurrence across Europe ahead of future regulatory reviews.
Scale of the challenge
EEA data show the full scale of the challenge across pollutant types:
Pesticides: Between 2013 and 2023, one or more pesticides exceeded effect thresholds in 19%–27% of river water bodies and 11%–18% of groundwater bodies across Europe. Some persistent substances, such as atrazine, continue to be detected in groundwater despite restrictions in place since 2007.
PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate): Widespread throughout European waters, often exceeding regulatory threshold levels set to avoid potential risk to human health and the environment. An assessment published by Le Monde showed that, when it comes to PFAS, an estimated 23,000 contaminated sites have been identified across Europe, around 2,300 of which are hotspots that may pose a direct risk to human health.
Pharmaceuticals: pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics — can enter water bodies through wastewater and agricultural sources, contributing to antimicrobial resistance, one of the most serious emerging public health threats. Groundwater supplied 62% of the EU-27's drinking water in 2022, making the protection of these reserves a direct public health priority.
Our assessments have been showing that persistent chemicals, pharmaceuticals and microplastics are increasingly found in European waters, including lakes, rivers and groundwater. But there is good news! Today, 11 May 2026, new EU rules, expanding the list of pollutants to be monitored and controlled
