This new directive, which will replace the current Directive 98/83/EC, implements new operational controls with the analysis of the parameters for somatic coliphages

On December 16, 2020, the European Parliament approved the revised Drinking Water Directive, which will enter into force on January 12, 2021. Member States will have two years to transpose it into national legislation.

The new Drinking Water Directive, which sets the guidelines for the control and distribution of drinking water in the EU, maintains the control parameters grouped into the well-known microbiological, chemical, indicator, and radiological parameters and incorporates the aspect of operational control of drinking water production, where two new parameters will be considered: water turbidity and somatic coliphages.

Somatic coliphages are viruses eliminated by feces and do not replicate in wastewater in the absence of coliform bacteria that they infect. Therefore, they are a useful fecal indicator since they will determine whether the raw starting water contains them in more than 50 plaque-forming units per 100 mL of aliquot. Their routine detection will be marked by their presence in the raw water purified in the purification system under consideration.

At Bluephage, we are enthusiastic about this new regulation. We make available all our expertise and knowledge on microbiological water testing through our innovative methods for detecting coliphages in water. Together with all professionals working in the water sector, we’ll achieve the objective of a two-year transition to this new regulation set by the European Union.

Useful links:

Read the new Drinking Water Directive at this link.

Read why it is important to detect coliphages in water in this link.

Check all our easy kits to detect coliphages in water in this link

Share This