Drinking water, a vital resource for human survival, has been the focus of a major regulatory transformation with the entry into force of Legislative Decree no. 18 of 23 February 2023. This measure, implementing Directive 2020/2184/EU, constitutes a significant update of the Italian regulations on water for human consumption, repealing the previous Legislative Decree 31/2001 and proposing a new approach to water quality and safety management.
We at DKR, with a sound knowledge of current legislation, are committed to keeping our users informed about the regulatory developments concerning drinking water. Operating in the field of construction and maintenance of water houses e water dispensers for schools, offices, e Horeca sector, we ensure that our solutions meet the latest quality and safety standards. It is crucial for us to educate customers on the importance of access to safe drinking water, ensuring that they are up-to-date on regulations and their implications for water quality.
The Legislative Decree No. 18 of 2023 aims at ensure that drinking water is 'healthy and clean'improving quality and reducing the risks associated with consumption. Article 2 of the decree clearly defines what is meant by 'water intended for human consumption', including treated or untreated water intended for domestic use, for the preparation of food and drink, and incorporated into food during production. This definition covers different sources, whether distribution networks, tanks, bottles or containers, and also includes spring waters.
Article 3 specifies the exemptions, which cover natural mineral waters, medicinal waters and waters intended exclusively for specific non-potable uses. These exclusions emphasise a targeted approach, recognising the normal variations in the quality and use of water in different applications.
Legislative Decree No. 18/2023 states that water intended for human consumption must not contain microorganisms, viruses, parasites or other substances in quantities that pose a health risk. This implies strict compliance with the microbiological and chemical parameters listed in Annex I of the decree. Furthermore, the measures necessary to ensure clean water must not lead to a deterioration of the existing quality nor to an increase in pollution of water sources.
The decree requires drinking water suppliers to conduct network efficiency assessments and explore improvements to reduce water losses, with a particular focus on those suppliers that handle at least 10,000 m³ of water per day or serve at least 50,000 people. This approach not only improves resource management but promotes environmental sustainability for the future.
A key element of Legislative Decree No. 18/2023 is the introduction of the "water safety plan"which involves a risk-based approach to ensuring water quality. This plan embraces risk assessment, management and communication, aiming to protect water resources from physical, chemical and biological threats, including climate change.
Risk assessment covers crucial aspects such as the feeding areas, i sampling points and the entire drinking water supply chainfrom internal distribution systems to storage systems. It collaborates with health authorities for a holistic control of significant hazards and risks, prioritising the most cost-effective measures.
Legislative Decree 18/2023 states stricter limits for specific contaminantswith a focus on perfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas) and trifluoroacetic acid (Tfa). These measures are part of a broader aim to protect public health, considering the growing awareness of the environmental impact of these substances.
The decree also imposes a continuous monitoring for chemical and microbiological substanceswith an analysis frequency that ensures a timely response to any quality violations. This also extends to the analysis of drinking water in swimming pools and groundwater, ensuring that the entire system is supervised and protected.
To implement the new provisions of Legislative Decree 18/2023, two new bodies are established: the CeNSiA (National Centre for Water Safety) and theAnTeA (Dynamic Territorial Register of Drinking Water). These bodies are responsible for the national supervision of water quality and safety and the management of spatial data on water resources. They contribute to a reactive and coordinated response to emerging problems, ensuring more effective governance of water resources.
The decree introduces a new level of transparency in communication to citizensby requiring water suppliers to disclose annually, through bills or electronic means, details of water quality and controls carried out. This communication system aims to give citizens more control over the resources they use.
Condominium administrators, who are responsible for plumbing systems, must carry out risk assessments and comply with analytical parameters, and are responsible for implementing preventive measures. Significant fines, ranging from EUR 4,000 to EUR 24,000, are envisaged in the event of violations.
Legislative Decree 18/2023 requires control programmes on the drinking water supply chain in cooperation with local health authorities and agencies of the National Environmental Protection System. Controls are divided into external (carried out by the operator) and internal (carried out by health authorities), ensuring that there are no gaps in continuous quality monitoring. This system of regular checks is essential to maintain the safety of drinking water and quickly identify potential problems.
Microbiological and chemical analyses of drinking water are fondamental to controlling quality and preventing risks to human health. An example that underlines the importance of these analyses is the monitoring of Escherichia coli (E. coli), an indicator bacterium for faecal contamination. The presence of E. coli is unacceptable in drinking water and poses an immediate risk. Similarly, the decree requires strict monitoring of arsenic levels, a toxic element that must be kept below 10 µg/l to prevent adverse health effects. These analyses, carried out by certified laboratories, ensure that the water meets regulatory requirements.
To ensure that drinking water is safe, the decree requires the verification of 53 key parametersincluding microbiological, chemical, indicator and radioactivity. These parameters ensure that the water is free of hazardous contaminants and meets normal human consumption conditions. For example, the pH control of water must be maintained between 6.5 and 9.5 units to ensure not only the safety but also the taste of the water, preventing corrosion of the distribution infrastructure and ensuring that it is acceptable to the consumer. Similarly, the total indicative dose of radioactivity must be kept below 0.1 mSv/year to prevent any health risk from radiation.
In this article, we saw how Legislative Decree No 18 of 23 February 2023 marked a significant step forward in protecting the quality of drinking water in Italy. With strict regulations and continuous monitoring, the decree promotes the safety and sustainability of the water system.
It is important to mention that a proposal for a decree correcting legislative decree 18/2023. This amendment, with new additions planned for May 2025, will introduce tighter restrictions on perfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas) and new rules for the production of materials in contact with wateroperational as of 12 January 2026, demonstrating regulatory developments aimed at ensuring public health.
We at DKR have always been attentive to evolving regulations and are committed to promoting the conscious use of high quality drinking water. With a sound knowledge of current laws, we ensure that our water solutions meet the latest safety and quality standards, which is also demonstrated by our participation as a sponsor in the AIAQ-driven production of the Water Handbook by the Dr Giorgio Temporellia well-known expert in hygiene, legislation and water treatment technology. For any information about our activity and to find out how we can support you, we invite you to contact us.
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