Drinking water

The EU sets high standards on drinking water. The levels of dangerous substances in water must be reduced. On this law, Malta requested a transition period until end of 2005 to take the necessary action to reach targets on nitrates and fluoride. It had also originally requested a similar period to reduce conductivity, chloride, sodium, sulphate and iron.

This latter request was withdrawn because EU standards on these substances are indicative and not compulsory. Malta will still reach targets for conductivity, chloride, sodium, sulphate by the end of 2006 and for iron by the end of 2007. Malta's request was therefore limited to just the level of nitrates and fluoride which will be reduced by the end of 2005. This request was accepted. Malta is already in line with EU standards on microbiological agents in water.