Brussels calls on Belgium to implement Drinking Water Directive

The European Commission has initiated an infringement procedure against Belgium for failing to correctly transpose the Drinking Water Directive (DWD). Member States were required to transpose the recast Drinking Water Directive into national law and comply with its provisions by 12 January 2023.

The conformity check of the national legislation has revealed instances of incorrect transposition in the three regions of Belgium and at the federal level. These relate, for example, to the content of risk assessments carried out by national authorities as regards risks from domestic distribution systems, the drinking water quality monitoring, and the lack of mandatory information to be provided to the public. 

Belgium has to address the shortcomings

The decision of the European Commission was included in the December 2025 infringement package. Belgium now has two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the European Commission. In the absence of satisfactory response, the European Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Enforcement of the recast DWD has started

The European Commission has already initiated procedures against eight Member States for failing to transpose the recast Drinking Water Directive correctly into national law. In October, the European Commission initiated infringement procedures against Estonia and Austria for failing to correctly transpose the Drinking Water Directive (DWD). Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal received letters of formal notice and in July letters were sent to Ireland, France and Slovenia. Member States were required to transpose the recast Drinking Water Directive into national law and comply with its provisions by 12 January 2023.

Stricter rules under the new Drinking Water Directive

The Drinking Water Directive (DWD), adopted in December 2020, aims to strengthen public health protection by updating water quality standards, addressing emerging pollutants such as microplastics and endocrine disruptors. It also focuses on reducing water loss through leaks. EU Member States were required to incorporate the Drinking Water Directive into national legislation by 12 January 2023.

Interactive map of environmental infringements

The European Commission has published an interactive map showing environmental infringements by Member State and topic. It is possible to select a Member State and see how it is performing, as well as when and why infringement procedures were initiated. The interactive map also shows how many times a Member State has been referred to the European Court of Justice (Article 260 cases). Spain holds the dubious honour of leading in 2025 with nine active water procedures, followed by Italy, Greece and Portugal.