The limit applies by 2026 at the latest
There are currently no legal limits set for PFAS in drinking or groundwater in Austria. A limit value will be introduced for drinking water by 2026 at the latest. The legal basis for this is the EU Drinking Water Directive, which came into force in 2021. This EU directive sets a maximum limit of 0.10 µg/l for “∑PFAS20” (sum of 20 defined PFAS). The draft for a new EU directive, which is currently in the EU legislative process, contains PFAS limit values for surface water and groundwater. However, the completed EU directive is not expected until 2024 at the earliest.
Comprehensive overall overview
“In order to best support public water suppliers in Upper Austria and prepare them for the upcoming introduction of the limit value, it is important to know about PFAS contamination at an early stage. In the department, we want to support our public water suppliers in the spirit of the precautionary principle. “It is important to me to have as comprehensive an overview as possible of possible contamination of drinking water by PFAS and this should be achieved,” says State Councilor for the Environment and Climate Stefan Kaineder.
Extinguishing agents were not prohibited
Airport managing director Norbert Draskovits: “We will work very closely with the responsible authorities and also transparently communicate the remediation measures to be initiated. However, I would like to emphasize that the extinguishing agents identified as the cause of the contamination complied with legal requirements at all times.”