Environment - Water quality

What was negotiated on drinking water?

The EU has high standards on the quality of drinking water that aim at reducing the levels of dangerous substances, such as lead and nitrates. On this law, Malta negotiated a transition period until the end of 2005 to take the necessary action to reach targets on nitrates and fluoride.

Malta had originally also requested a similar period to reduce conductivity, chloride, sodium, sulphate and iron. However this request was dropped because EU standards on these substances are indicative and not compulsory. However, Malta will still reach targets for conductivity, chloride, sodium and sulphate by the end of 2006 and for iron by the end of 2007. Malta is already in line with EU standards on microbiological agents in water. For other substances, such as lead, Malta will come into line by accession.