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Implementation of the Drinking Water Directive limit values for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Europe

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Abstract

The European Union Drinking Water Directive (DWD) established limit values for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) owing to health concerns. Here we examine how European Union member states have implemented the DWD limit values, which went into effect in January 2026. All but one member state have adopted the sum of PFAS limit of 0.1 µg l−1. Several member states have also adopted the PFAS total limit of 0.5 µg l−1 in combination with the sum of PFAS limit, whereas no one has adopted the PFAS total parameter in isolation. Member states often go beyond DWD requirements and nine have implemented the sum of four PFASs — that is, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). These limit values have been implemented faster but also more sporadically resulting in different levels of protection. The division between monitoring water quality and legal oversight may counteract, for instance, effective mitigation and institutional collaboration. Finally, supplying clean drinking water in compliance with the DWD can be challenging if trifluoroacetic acid is considered a toxicological relevant pesticide metabolite.

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Fig. 1: Overview of PFAS belonging to the sum-criteria for limit values in the European Union DWD.
Fig. 2: Different approaches to addressing PFAS in national drinking water laws across Europe.

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Subjects

  • Government
  • Politics
  • Water resources

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Acknowledgements

Graphical support by M. B. Nielsen and financial support from Hovedstadsområdets Forsyningsselskab HOFOR A/S is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DTU Sustain, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

    Steffen Foss Hansen, Rune Hjorth, Anders Baun & Hans-Jørgen Albrechtsen

  2. Danish PFAS Research Center, DTU Sustain, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

    Rune Hjorth & Anders Baun

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  1. Steffen Foss Hansen
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  2. Rune Hjorth
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  3. Anders Baun
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  4. Hans-Jørgen Albrechtsen
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Contributions

The study was jointly conceptualized by S.F.H., R.H., A.B. and H.-J.A., who collaboratively contributed to the development of ideas, writing and revision of the manuscript. S.F.H. did the initial data collection on PFAS whereas R.H. completed the initial data collection on TFA. All authors approved the final version.

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Hansen, S.F., Hjorth, R., Baun, A. et al. Implementation of the Drinking Water Directive limit values for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Europe.
Nat Water (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-026-00670-5

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