17/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 17 February, the EU Council adopted a directive strengthening the protection of surface water and groundwater. The text updates the list of pollutants to be monitored, including pesticides, pharmaceutical residues and PFAS (see EUROPE B13809A10). It also tightens the environmental standards applicable to several substances and improves monitoring obligations throughout the European Union. Bulgaria and Poland abstained from the EU Council vote....