European Commission Issues Warning to France Over Drinking Water Directive Non-Compliance
France faces EU action over its failure to meet drinking water directive standards.
Key Points
- • European Commission warns France over drinking water quality compliance.
- • France has two months to address the issues raised by the Commission.
- • The directive targets endocrine disruptors and microplastics introduced in 2021.
- • Previous warnings have highlighted excessive nitrate levels in drinking water.
The European Commission has formally notified France regarding its failure to comply with updated EU drinking water quality standards. France has been granted a two-month period to address these compliance issues, stemming from inadequate implementation of a directive intended to enhance public health through the regulation of drinking water quality, which became effective in 2021. This directive specifically targets harmful pollutants including endocrine disruptors and microplastics.
Previously, France was warned in 2020 and received a motivated opinion in February 2023 due to excessive nitrate levels in its drinking water, which have raised serious health concerns among the population. The Commission has assessed France's responses to these warnings as insufficient, raising the possibility of escalating legal action that could lead to a referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union by July 2024 if these issues are not resolved.
In response to the Commission's warning, the French Ministry of Ecological Transition announced plans to develop a comprehensive roadmap aimed at improving the quality of drinking water in France. This roadmap is expected to include tools for identifying sensitive extraction points and guidelines for local authorities, with a publication deadline set for the end of 2025.