05/02/2020 (Agence Europe) – The Permanent Representatives of the Member States to the EU, meeting in Brussels on Wednesday 5 February, validated the political agreement reached in December 2019 between the European Parliament and the EU Council on the update of the 1998 Drinking Water Directive (see EUROPE 12395/9). The revised legislation strengthens the quality and safety parameters for water intended for human consumption in a risk-based approach. It also improves access to water, especially for vulnerable populations, in response to the European Citizens' Initiative Ice2water. “Our message to citizens is clear: tap water is perfectly safe everywhere in the EU. Today’s agreement will result in a further improvement in the quality of tap water”, commented the Croatian Minister of Environment and Energy, Tomislav Ćorić. The confirmation vote by Parliament's Committee on Environment is scheduled for 18 February. (AN)