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 13809/10). 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. European Parliament is expected to hold the final vote on the directive by the end of March. EU Member States will have until 2039 to comply with the new standards for surface water and groundwater. For substances subject to revised and more stringent environmental quality standards in surface waters, the deadline for compliance is 2033. Draft statement: https://aeur.eu/f/kre (LC)