Directive 2013/39/EU amending Directives 2000/60/EC and 2008/105/EC as regards priority substances in the field of water policy was adopted on 12 August 2013. It revises crucial rules on determining the chemical quality of surface water in Europe (e.g. identification of new harmful substances, updating of environmental quality standards, introduction of a new “watch list” mechanism) and establishes new standards for the protection of water in Europe. This paper explores the legal and factual background to the new legislation on protecting water quality in Europe and takes a critical look at its most important provisions.
Chemical quality of water from community systems in New York, November 1970 to May 1975
