New drinking water limits 1 Jan 2026
New Drinking Water Requirements from 2026 – What Applies and How to Prepare
From January 1, 2026, new limit values for drinking water will come into effect in Sweden. At the same time, requirements will be introduced for more drinking water facilities to conduct systematic control of their raw water. For many businesses, this means both new analysis parameters and the need to update their monitoring programs. The new requirements follow from the Swedish National Food Agency's drinking water regulations LIVSFS 2022:12, which were decided in 2022 but included transitional provisions until the turn of the year 2025/2026.
As the transition period now ends, several new parameters will begin to be monitored in drinking water. Among the most important changes are eight new parameters with limit values, including PFAS (PFAS 4) and Bisphenol A. In addition, limit values for certain already regulated substances are being lowered, including lead and arsenic. For many facilities, raw water control will also become mandatory. The purpose of these stricter regulations is to strengthen the protection of human health and to detect risks earlier in the water chain, before they can affect the finished drinking water.
Which parameters should be analyzed?
All drinking water facilities must have an established monitoring program that specifies which parameters are analyzed and how often sampling should occur. All parameters with limit values are listed in Appendix 1 to LIVSFS 2022:12, but which ones actually need to be analyzed depends on local conditions. For several substances, special conditions apply. For example, uranium only needs to be analyzed if the water comes from groundwater or surface water-affected groundwater, while other parameters may be relevant depending on surrounding land use or known environmental problems in the area.
One of the most notable changes is the requirement for PFAS analyses. PFAS must be included in the monitoring program if the hazard analysis shows a risk of its presence, or if there is a suspicion that PFAS may be present in concentrations that pose a health risk. Smaller facilities producing less than 10 mÂł of drinking water per day or supplying fewer than 50 people are not covered by the hazard analysis requirement but still have a responsibility to investigate PFAS if contamination is suspected. This means that even small producers need to be aware of risks in their vicinity, such as fire training sites, industrial areas, or other known sources of pollution.
What happens if limits are exceeded?
If an analysis result shows that a limit value is exceeded, the operator has a clear responsibility to act. First, an assessment must be made as to whether the exceedance poses a health risk. If so, both the supervisory authority and consumers must be informed without delay. At the same time, advice must be given to consumers on any protective measures, such as boiling the water or using bottled water. Subsequently, the cause of the exceedance must be investigated, and measures taken to restore water quality.
How quickly measures must be implemented depends on the risk level. Health-related exceedances, such as high levels of bacteria or toxic substances, require urgent action. Aesthetic or technical deviations, such as high iron levels or colored water, can, however, be handled over a longer period. For substances like PFAS, remediation work can be particularly long-term and require extensive investigation, planning, and possibly the installation of advanced purification technology. This makes it even more important to work preventatively and monitor water quality before problems arise.
Raw water control becomes a broader requirement
From January 1, 2026, drinking water producers must include raw water investigations in their monitoring program. This is an important change that means water must be controlled even before it is treated, not just when it comes out of the tap. Exceptions apply only to very small facilities that produce less than 10 mÂł per day and do not treat the water. For all others, raw water control will be a mandatory part of operations.
Which raw water parameters should be analyzed and how often is specified in Appendix 3 to LIVSFS 2022:12. For facilities that have conducted a hazard analysis, additional parameters may need to be added to ensure that the treatment works as intended. For example, if a facility uses chemicals to lower pH or remove iron, it may be relevant to follow up on the effectiveness of the process by comparing raw water and finished drinking water over time.
Preparations that make a difference
To meet the new requirements, correct, reliable, and up-to-date water analyses are required. Monitoring programs need to be reviewed, updated, and in some cases re-established by the responsible supervisory authority. This means that many businesses need to act now to be ready when the regulations come into force. By working systematically with water analyses and following the development of the regulations, the risk of future problems can be significantly reduced.
At SvensktVattenprov.se, we help businesses conduct water analyses according to current and upcoming limit values, ensure that the correct parameters are analyzed based on the facility's conditions, and provide analysis data that can be used in monitoring programs and for contact with authorities. Through regular sampling, changes over time can be tracked, and the need for supplementary analyses, such as PFAS or raw water parameters, can be identified in good time.
The new limit values and raw water control requirements entail increased responsibility for drinking water producers, but also an opportunity to work more systematically and preventively. By starting to prepare now, with the right analysis data and knowledge of what is required, you can ensure safe drinking water even after 2026. At Svensktvattenprov.se, you will find knowledge, analysis support, and water samples that help you meet both today's and tomorrow's demands for water quality.