New substances added to the EU's surface water watchlist

The European Commission has adopted a new watchlist of substances threatening surface waters, including twelve pollutants such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals. This decision, made on March 3, 2025, reflects a proactive approach towards monitoring potential environmental risks and human health implications. Member States will track these substances at select monitoring stations for two years, providing essential data that could lead to stricter regulations under the Water Framework Directive.