Infringement procedures against Estonia and Austria over drinking water rules

The European Commission has initiated infringement procedures against Estonia and Austria 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 decision of the European Commission was included in the October 2025 Infringement Package. Estonia and Austria now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the European Commission. In the absence of satisfactory responses, the EC may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Lack of risk management in Estonia

As regards Estonia, the transposition issues concern measures to be taken in case of potential danger to human health from drinking water, the conformity of materials in contact with drinking water and the risk-based approach obligations. Member States must set frameworks enabling or enforcing risk assessments and risk management across the chain.

Several shortcomings in Austria

Regarding Austria, the transposition issues concern general obligations and quality standards in the Austrian region of Carinthia. Other shortcomings relate to the transposition of the rules on risk assessment and risk management of the catchment areas, the supply system, the domestic distribution system and monitoring. In addition, national rules do not in all cases require operators to provide information online to consumers.

Enforcement 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 June Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal received a letter 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 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 started. 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.