Water quality and health

Safe and clean water is essential for a healthy living environment and nature. However, the quality of water is under increasing pressure. Chemical and microbiological contamination of water are caused by human activities, and climate change can also negatively impact water quality. The quality of surface and other water bodies has improved in many regards in recent years, but it is still far from meeting all European standards. Moreover, our knowledge of the threats to water quality is steadily increasing, for instance with regard to PFAS and antibiotic-resistant microbes. Steadily stricter water quality guidelines are being established for water systems and for the (re)use of water.