Technology


WHAT’S NEW IN 2026 FOR THE EU DRINKING WATER DIRECTIVE? Jed Thomas explores what’s ahead for the EU in 2026


Although much of the EU’s recast Drinking Water Directive has been up and running for several years now, 2026 will see a number of rules coming into force.


For the most part, these rules mainly concern materials and products in contact with drinking water, along with the operational consequences this creates for compliance activities.


The most signifi cant of these is the new EU-wide hygiene framework for drinking water contact materials.


Contact materials


In April 2024, the European Commission adopted a package of implementing and delegated acts under Directive (EU) 2020/2184.


These acts establish harmonised EU rules covering substances, compositions, testing and conformity assessment. It was for materials such as pipes, fi ttings, coatings, linings, gaskets and treatment components that come into contact with drinking water.


While these rules were adopted earlier, they include transitional periods. And this year, 2026, marks the point at which the new


framework begins to apply in practice.


From 2026 onwards, products placed on the market for use in drinking water systems will need to comply with EU-level requirements rather than purely national approval schemes.


For monitoring professionals, this has practical implications. Water quality anomalies are increasingly expected to be assessed against this harmonised materials regime.


Monitoring data may have a more direct use as evidence in conformity assessments linked to infrastructure components.


Relatedly, we’ll see the phased rollout of the EU’s ‘positive list’ system in 2026. This is supported technically by the European Chemicals Agency.


From 2026, substances used in drinking water contact materials must increasingly be drawn from authorised EU lists, with defi ned conditions of use.


While the full system will take longer to mature, 2026 represents the point at which water suppliers and regulators are expected to start operating within this new logic.


PFAS limits


Although PFAS limits themselves are not new for 2026, this coming year is operationally important. It coincides with the expected normalisation of PFAS monitoring programmes under national law.


Many member states have been going through transitional periods to build analytical capacity and establish reporting frameworks.


But in 2026, PFAS monitoring is expected to be routine. With monitoring results feeding directly into compliance assessment and, where necessary, source protection measures.


Risk-based monitoring obligations will also become more visible in the coming year.


While the requirement for catchment-to-tap risk assessment already exists, several national regulators have aligned their full inspection and audit cycles with the mid-decade period.


As a result, water quality monitoring professionals are more likely from 2026 onwards to be asked for documented justifi cation of monitoring design, including why certain parameters are monitored more or less frequently as well as how monitoring responds to identifi ed risks.


From 2026 onwards, products placed on the market for use in drinking water systems will need to comply with EU-level requirements rather than purely national approval schemes


Jed Thomas


Content Editor, International Environmental Technology


Email: jed@envirotechpubs.com


Water / Wastewater Future-proof cable tracking


term continuity of supply and operation for customers across multiple sectors.


The HydroPACT 440 has been the industry standard since its introduction in the early 1990s, playing a vital role in the installation, surveying, and verifi cation of subsea pipelines and cables. Widely used in offshore energy, telecommunications, and defence applications, the system provides reliable, real-time tracking and measurement - critical proof-of-lay data and ongoing monitoring for assets already in situ. Generations of offshore personnel are trained on its operation, making ease of use and continuity essential for this new model.


Teledyne Marine has announced the launch of the HydroPACT 440 MK2, an upgrade of its market-leading subsea pipe and cable tracking system. Building on more than 30 years of trusted offshore performance, the MK2 has been engineered as a robust, future-proof upgrade that still offers the familiar user experience and operability, yet ensures long-


Teledyne Marine has invested in a comprehensive redesign to secure the long-term future of the product. The result is a modernised system that maintains the same operability, with the addition of new architectural features, whilst retaining the same performance and familiar user experience.


“After many months of trials and testing, we’re extremely proud to introduce the HydroPACT 440 MK2,” said Jeremy Harrison, Business Manager at Teledyne Marine. “Customers can expect the same credible, proven performance they trust, but in a refreshed design built to operate reliably for decades to come. Continuity and future-proofi ng were our guiding principles.”


The system now features a titanium subsea housing that is lighter, more compact, and depth rated to 6,000 meters as standard. For the fi rst time, the MK2 is offered as a 24 Vdc single subsea pod, reducing cost and complexity and making it especially well suited to the newer eROVs entering the market. The topside computers have been updated to new Windows 11 - based SDC11 and RMC11 units, delivering an enhanced survey workfl ow. In addition, the DeepView operating system has been upgraded for Windows 11 compatibility, maintaining familiarity for long-standing users while supporting modern capabilities.


The HydroPACT 440 MK 2 retains the system’s hallmark fl exibility, it can be deployed on a wide variety of larger ROVs and trenchers enabling operators to conduct their own surveys and verify their work, and thereby helping to reduce operational costs.


Upgrade and replacement options are also available for users of the legacy HydroPACT 440 systems.


Importantly, the HydroPACT 440 MK 2 is being launched at the same price as the previous model, reinforcing Teledyne Marine’s commitment to customer value as the product enters its next generation.


The HydroPACT 440 MK2 is available to purchase now and the system will make its offi cial debut at Oceanology International 2026, taking place 10–12 March in London.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/ZOeO 66505pr@reply-direct.com


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IET - JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2026


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