Drinking Water

Drinking Water

Here you can find the EU and other legislation and guidance about drinking water.

• EU legislation

  Directive (EU) 2020/2184 (OJ L 435, p.1, 23.12.2020) (this opens in a new tab) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast)

  Directive 2000/60/EC (OJ L 327, p1, 22.12.2000) (this opens in a new tab) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy.

  Commission Recommendation 2001/928/Euratom (OJ L 344, p85, 28.12.2001) (this opens in a new tab) of 20 December 2001 on the protection of the public against exposure to radon in drinking water supplies.

• National legislation

  • European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 99 of 2023) (this opens in a new tab)

  • European Union (Radioactive Substances in Drinking Water) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 160 of 2016) (this opens in a new tab)

• General Provisions

  The basic standards governing the quality of drinking water intended for human consumption, whether in its original state or after treatment are set out in Directive (EU) 2020/2184 (link opens in new window).

  The objectives of this Directive is to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean, and to improve access to water intended for human consumption.

  Directive (EU) 2020/2184 defines "water intended for human consumption" as:

  • all water, either in its original state or after treatment, intended for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic purposes in both public and private premises, regardless of its origin and whether it is supplied from a distribution network, supplied from a tanker or put into bottles or containers, including spring waters;
  • all water used in any food business for the manufacture, processing, preservation or marketing of products or substances intended for human consumption;

  The Directive exempts: 

  • natural mineral waters recognised as such by the responsible authority, as referred to in Directive 2009/54/EC (link opens in new window).
  • waters which are medicinal products within the meaning of Directive 2001/83/EC (link opens in new window).
  • waters supplied in bottles or containers
  • Maritime vessels that desalinate water, carry passengers and act as water suppliers are subject to lesser requirements.
  • an exempted supply

  An exempted supply means: 

  • water suppliers supplying less than 10 cubic metres of water a day as an average or serving fewer than 50 persons as part of a commercial or public activity 
  • water intended exclusively for purposes in respect of which the relevant supervisory authority is satisfied that the quality of the water has no influence, either directly or indirectly, on the health of the consumers concerned.

  The following exemption comes into operation on 13 January 2026 and shall apply on and after that date.

  A food business operator with its own water supply may be exempt, in relation to the water used for the specific purposes of the food business, where—

  (a) the FSAI, or
  (b) an official agency of the FSAI carrying out functions under a service contract pursuant to section 48 of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998 (No. 29 of 1998),
  is satisfied that—
  (i) the quality of the water supply cannot affect the safety of the foodstuff in its finished form, and
  (ii) the water supply of the food business complies with relevant obligations, in particular under the procedures on hazard analysis and critical control point principles, where applicable, and remedial actions under relevant legislation on food.

• Water quality and potable water

  The Environmental Protection Agency (this opens in a new tab) prepares and publishes annual reports on the results of the monitoring programmes carried out.

  Where the water quality does not meet the specified standards, remedial measures are outlined in S.I. No. 99 of 2023 (this opens in a new tab) for public and private water supplies.

  In EU food law, where there is a reference to potable water, it is usually defined as water which meets the standards of Directive 98/83/EC which has been repealed by Directive (EU) 2020/2184 (this opens in a new tab).

  Read our factsheet on Potable Water Quality for Food Businesses.