Wallonia tightens PFAS standard for drinking water: stricter limits come into force earlier

Wallonia accelerates implementation of stricter PFAS standards for drinking water. Discover the new limits, monitoring results and impact on public health.

23.02.2025 | Fundamental right

Wallonia has a new standard for PFAS contamination in drinking water faster than originally planned. The updated regulations impose a limit of 100 ng/L (0.10 μg/L) for the sum of 20 specific PFAS molecules, known as “PFAS-20.” This stricter measure is intended to address concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water to reduce and comply with the European Directive 2020/2184. Originally planned for implementation on 1 January 2026, close cooperation between the government and water producers and distributors allowed the new standard to come into force on 20 February 2025.

Extended monitoring since November 2023 shows that no exceedances of this limit have been observed in the Walloon drinking water supply to date. The new regulations also include guidelines for the analysis of PFAS concentrations and set target values for four of the most worrying PFAS compounds: PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOSBy 2028, these targets must be fully aligned with the standards already in place Flanders and Brussels apply and with the recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The Minister of Public Health and the Environment, Yves Coppieters, responded positively to the accelerated implementation of this standard and stressed its importance for public health and the environment. He underlined that limiting exposure to these persistent pollutants is necessary to prevent long-term damage to health. He also praised the water sector for its proactive efforts to guarantee the quality and safety of drinking water in Wallonia. This progress shows that Wallonia is actively committed to stricter regulation and better protection of its inhabitants against harmful chemicals in drinking water.

Source:

https://businessam.be/wallonie-implementeert-strengere-pfas-norm-voor-drinkwater-eerder-dan-verwacht