Press Release: New standards for water quality in the EU’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters

The Council has approved a directive that lays down environmental quality standards for surface water in the EU. The directive specifies limits for concentrations in
surface water of more than 30 polluting substances, such as pesticides, heavy metals and biocides. The thresholds relate both to pollution peaks as well as to annual average figures. Member States must take measures with the aim of meeting these standards by 2015, subject to the provisions of the EU Water Framework directive (2000/60/EC).