A Critical Analysis of Drinking Water Quality Policies and Regulations in Romania

BULETINUL INSTITUTULUI POLITEHNIC DIN IAŞI Publicat de Universitatea Tehnică „Gheorghe Asachi” din Iaşi Volumul 71 (75), Numărul 3, 2025 Secţia CHIMIE şi INGINERIE CHIMICĂ DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17357581 A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY POLICIES AND REGULATIONS IN ROMANIA BY MĂDĂLINA-ELENA ABALAȘEI and CARMEN TEODOSIU “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, Iași, Romania Received: June 17, 2025 Accepted for publication: September 20, 2025 Abstract. Drinking water quality is essential for maintaining human health and ecological balance. Therefore, implementing standards and legislative directives/ordinances is important to protect human health. Water regulations play a crucial role in the efficient management of water resources, particularly in clean water and sanitation. This analysis evaluates the main water quality parameters regulated by national and European standards and highlights the problems related to the implementation of water quality standards in Romania. This study presents the main limitations of the standards related to underestimation of risks associated with emerging toxic contaminants, the adoption of inadequate limit values for current public health requirements, inadequate analytical techniques at international level or protocols, and existing tools for their monitoring. The conclusions of this analysis in the Romanian context indicate deficiencies in several synthetic chemicals and biological species. The implementation of regulations and standards is essential for sustainable water management, and regional and international partnerships are key solutions to overcome these obstacles. Keywords: drinking water quality, monitoring, water policies, EU Directives, water resources management. Corresponding author; e-mail: carmen.teod[email protected]o 124 Mădălina-Elena Abalașei and Carmen Teodosiu 1. Introduction The depletion of water resources due to urbanization, climate change, industrial and agricultural activities, and pollution has a negative impact on the physical-chemical and biological characteristics of water; hence, there is a global concern for safe water supply, human health, and ecosystem balance (Tsoukalas and Tsitsifli, 2018). Drinking water contaminants pose a major threat to human health; thus, the provision of safe drinking water is one of the most important research directions for mankind, representing a defining issue for developed countries (Ashbolt 2015), and a main objective for developing countries that do not have a well-defined legislative framework (Tsaridou and Karabelas, 2021). Statistical modeling has revealed that global population growth (100% increase since 1970) directly correlates with water demand surges, highlighting storage infrastructure as a critical limiting factor (Vörösmarty et al., 2000). Drinking water quality is a major concern worldwide, leading to the development of European Union (EU) legislation. The first common EU directive on drinking water quality was issued in 1980, European Drinking Water Directive (80/778/EEC), which is in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This directive was transposed into national law by 15 countries that were part of the European Economic Community at that time. Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption was issued in 1998, five years after the entry of Directive 80/778/EEC into force was repealed. The main objectives of this directive were the establishment of strict standards for a series of microbiological, chemical, and organoleptic water parameters, and the regular monitoring of water quality by national authorities. However, this directive also had a series of limitations; for example, the transposition of the directive and its application was uneven, it did not include all new or emerging contaminants, and public authorities lacked transparency (Lucentini et al., 2016). The review of 98/83/EC started in 2018, later in 2019 the review process was completed and in 2021 Directive (EU) 2020/2184 came into force. The revision of this Directive (Directive 98/83/EC) was initiated in response to the need to update the European legislative framework regarding the quality of drinking water. The main aim of is to ensure an optimal level of protection of public safety by adapting the parameter values to the latest scientific evidence, integrating new parameters relating to emerging pollutants, and strengthening the prevention-based approach and risk assessment in water safety management. The main new features of Drinking Water Directive (DWD 2020/2184) are as follows: adoption of a risk-based approach, in line with the principles of the Water Safety Plan, along the entire supply chain, including the domestic system from meter to tap, assessing and updating certain quality standards, Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, Vol. 71 (75), Nr. 3, 2025 125 particularly in terms of adding new parameters and modifying their values in a more restrictive manner and for others in a more permissive manner, identification of possible emerging pollutants present in the sources, require effective and transparent information for citizens on the quality conditions of the tap water supplied, which is necessary to increase consumers’ confidence in the water supply network (Dettori et al., 2022) As a member state of the European Union, Romania is aligned with all European Union policies and strategies in the field of drinking water quality and has adopted all necessary instruments to support the water resources management system intended for human consumption. In Romania, drinking water quality legislation has evolved significantly over the last few decades from the general regulations of Water Law 107/1996 (Legea 107/1996) to modern risk-based approaches. Law 458/2002 (Legea 458/2002) marked an important milestone by aligning with European requirements and has been supplemented and amended several times. As of 2023, Romania has transposed Directive (UE) 2020/2184 through Emergency Ordinance 7/2023 (EO 7/2023), bringing profound reform to its monitoring and control system. The new legal framework emphasizes the protection of public health, transparency, and the elimination of risks such as lead in networks. Thus, the national system has been modernized for sustainable and preventive drinking water management. To ensure the quality of drinking water, EU member states have been supported in implementing and monitoring the main quality standards to produce superior quality water and protect human health. The main standards are listed in Annex I of DWD. A total of 48 chemical and microbiological parameters were set at the EU level, which is mandatory for drinking water distributed to the population. At the same time, to ensure the optimal quality of treatment, distribution, and monitoring of drinking water, Member States may, based on the principle of subsidiarity, add additional monitoring parameters, together with the corresponding limits (Lucentini et al., 2016; Hartmann et al., 2018). A survey conducted in early 2006 revealed notable progress in providing access to safe drinking water: 87% of the world's population consumed water from certified and controlled sources, a significant improvement from 77% in the early 1990s (Tsoukalas and Tsitsifli, 2018). Although over 90% of the world's population is now supplied with water from controlled sources, an estimated 2.3 billion people still suffer from drinking water-related diseases. Over the past three decades, both developed and developing countries have experienced significant drinking water contamination, causing health problems for consumers (Hamilton et al., 2006; Tsoukalas and Tsitsifli, 2018). Although significant progress has been made towards the implementation of the DWD 2020/2184, standards, regulations, and techniques to detect emerging contaminants, according to WHO, 3.4 million people die annually because of water-related diseases, the majority of whom are children. Thus, the 126 Mădălina-Elena Abalașei and Carmen Teodosiu development of new water treatment technologies could reduce the incidence of diseases globally by 4% (Pandey et al., 2014). The regulation of drinking water services involves the setting of essential technical requirements by competent authorities. These include the definition of the water quality parameters to be monitored, frequency of sampling, delimitation of points of compliance, and specification of accepted analytical methods for monitoring water quality. Water suppliers play a decisive role in providing safe drinking water and must ensure the monitoring and assessment of drinking water quality using appropriate standards, methods, and equipment (Tsoukalas and Tsitsifli, 2018). In the context of this review, an assessment of DWD 2020/2184 and national legislation on implementation of regulations and standards will be conducted, considering issues related to waterborne diseases, emerging contaminants, and their impact on the quality of human life. Starting from the primary objective of protecting human health, this study identifies the shortcomings of the existing standards, regulations, and their implementation. Although a legal legislative framework is in place, there is an urgent need that has been identified to review the current regulations to adapt them to current challenges. Issues related to standards and regulations also need to be addressed from the perspective of overall water management, including the infrastructure of water distribution systems, and the adaptation and development of new analytical techniques to determine new emerging contaminants using adapted instruments. 2. Analysis of EU and national legislation of water quality parameters of the regulatory framework Providing safe drinking water involves understanding and managing the associated risks. Assessing the potential risks to human health requires careful monitoring of the physical, biological, and chemical constituents of drinking water (da Luz and Kumpel, 2020). The quality of drinking water is essentially defined by chemical, microbiological, and radiological parameters as well as factors related to its sensory acceptability, such as color, taste, and odor. The Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) is the cornerstone of the European Union water policy, establishing a comprehensive framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters, and groundwater. Its main objective is to achieve “good ecological and chemical status” for all water bodies through an integrated river basin management approach, emphasizing prevention, sustainable use, and public participation in decision-making. Although the Directive does not directly regulate drinking water quality parameters, which are addressed separately by the Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC, replaced by Directive (EU) 2020/2184), it provides the ecological and regulatory foundation for the protection of water Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, Vol. 71 (75), Nr. 3, 2025 127 sources used for human consumption. However, despite significant progress in institutional alignment and policy integration, persistent challenges remain, particularly regarding diffuse agricultural pollution, insufficient infrastructure in rural areas, and the limited application of risk-based and adaptive management approaches. Consequently, while the transposition of Directive 2000/60/EC has advanced Romania’s compliance with EU environmental objectives, its full implementation continues to require substantial technical, financial, and governance effort. The EU Drinking Water Directive, 2020/2184, on the quality of water intended for human consumption and Emergency Ordinance 7/2023 (EO 7/2023) include limit values for several chemical substances, which are in line with the values imposed by the WHO guidelines (https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/watersanitation-and-health/water-safety-and-quality/drinking-water-qualityguidelines?). Table 1 lists the main chemical contaminants included in the DWD 2020/2184 and EO 7/2023. According to the regulations, several differences have been observed between the limits imposed by the DWD 2020/2184, EO 7/2023 and WHO guidelines. Thus, several parameters provide lower values than those proposed by the WHO, whereas the opposite can be observed. For a few chemicals, the limits imposed are higher than those imposed by WHO. Table 1 Comparison of parametric limit values for some chemical contaminants Parameter Maximum permissible limit DWD 2020/2184 Maximum permissible limit EO 7/2023 WHO Maximum permissible limit μg/L μg/L μg/L Acrylamide 0.10 0.10 0.5 Arsenic 10 10 10 Barium - - 1300 Cadmium 5.0 5.0 3.0 Chlordane 25000 25000 0.2 Chlorite 25000 25000 700 Chromium (total) 25 25 50 1,2-dichloroethane 3.0 3.0 30 Endrin - - 0.6 Fluoride 1500 1500 1500 Lead 5 5 10 Selenium 20 20 40 Vinyl chloride 0.5 0.5 0.3 Uranium 30 30 30 Nitrite (as NO2-) 500 500 3.000 Nitrate (as NO3-) 50.000 50.000 50.000 128 Mădălina-Elena Abalașei and Carmen Teodosiu Chemicals such as nitrates, nitrites, fluoride, and arsenic in natural waters cause serious health problems. According to Directive 91/676/EEC, nitrites are the most common chemical contaminants found in groundwater sources. Consumption of water containing more than 50 mg/L NO2is dangerous to human health, especially for children under 5 years of age (Sehlaoui et al., 2022). Arsenic and synthetic chemicals have a much more serious impact on human health than those mentioned above because they do not alter the organoleptic properties of drinking water. Their detection in the absence of complex analytical techniques makes it difficult to determine their presence, and people may consume contaminated water in the absence of warnings. Inorganic contaminants, such as chromate, pose serious problems, particularly in hard water sources (Tsaridou and Karabelas, 2021). Over the last decade, contaminants such as synthetic or natural chemicals and micro-organisms, which are not included in monitoring programs or have been included only gradually, especially in the last 10 years, are of concern because there are no clear conclusions about their harmful effects on the environment and human health due to exposure to contaminated water. The main categories of contaminants of concern are perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (PPCPs), microplastics and nanoplastics, and industrial and commercial compounds (ICCs). This list includes 48 substances or groups of substances, some of which, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and heptachlor, have been integrated into the new Drinking Water Directive in 2020 with specific limit values. However, medicines for human and veterinary use are not yet defined as priority substances in the EU, even though there are proposals for quality standards at European and national level for certain compounds. Existing EU legislation on environmental risk assessment and degradation of pharmaceuticals appears insufficient to fully eliminate their risk to the environment and thus to water and drinking water (Tsaridou and Karabelas, 2021; Campo et al., 2016). Perand polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) are a group of synthetic chemical compounds present in numerous household items, cleaning products, food packaging, and water-repellent or anti-wicking treatments (Campo et al., 2016). These substances have been included in the European DWD, with limit values of 0.5 μg/L for total PFAS and 0.1 μg/L for a subset of PFAS. In national legislation, these parameters have been included by means of OUG 7/20203, which provides a limit value of 0.5 μg/L for total PFAS and 0.1 μg/L for a subset of ‘total PFAS’ substances. According to the provisions of this ordinance, these parameters will be monitored from 2024, based on technical guidelines developed by the European Commission. Member States must comply with their limit values, respectively 0.5 µg/L and 0.1 µg/L, by 12 January 2026. Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, Vol. 71 (75), Nr. 3, 2025 129 Simultaneously (DWD 2020/2184; EO 7/2023), it has been established that the present parameters ‘Total PFAS’ and ‘PFAS Sum’ can be analyzed both or only one of them. Water disinfection has been successful in preventing waterborne diseases and inactivating pathogens. Chlorination is the most used technology because of its low cost and high effectiveness in pathogens control. According to data provided by WHO, in 2022, 30 countries worldwide reported cases of waterborne diseases, of these about 350,000 were diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever caused by lack of access to safe drinking water (WHO, 2022) Microbiological indicators are mainly used for water quality monitoring and human health impact assessment. At the EU level, several regulations have been stipulated through directives, including the selection of the main pathogens. Water pollution with fecal matter constitutes a public health problem in developed countries, particularly in developing countries (Verani et al., 2019; Richiardi et al., 2023; WHO, 2022). According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), the consumption of contaminated drinking water is responsible for approximately 485,000 diarrheal disease-related deaths each year (WHO, 2021). In developed countries, the incidence of water-related diarrheal diseases is lower because of the implementation of disinfection treatments, hygiene and sanitation measures, and strict regulations on water quality (WHO, 2019). However, in 2021, seven member states of the European Union (EU) reported 12 outbreaks of waterborne infections linked to the consumption of drinking water from the network, wells, or other sources. In addition, data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) show that, in 2021, 54 outbreaks of waterborne diseases were documented, of which 15 were directly associated with the consumption of drinking water. They accounted for 41% of the reported cases (214/518), nearly 53% of hospitalizations (56/105), and 70% of deaths (7/10). Infections caused by waterborne enteric pathogens continue to be a major global public health problem (Richiardi et al., 2023; Saxena et al., 2015). The DWD 2020/2184 and EO 7/2023 regulations set limits for relevant contaminants in treated water without requiring full monitoring of all potentially hazardous substances unless the specific risk assessment of the supply system indicates the need to do so. To this end, the EU defines a ‘core list’ of mandatory parameters that should be constantly monitored, regardless of the context. It includes 12 key indicators, including Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, coliform bacteria, and total colony count at 22°C. Disease outbreaks caused by protozoan parasites and etheric viruses are associated with the consumption of contaminated water (Ashbolt, 2015; Verani et al., 2019). Currently, neither the DWD 2020/2184 nor the EO 7/2023 includes quality parameters for known pathogens. 130 Mădălina-Elena Abalașei and Carmen Teodosiu Although they have been detected in numerous water sources, ether viruses, particularly human adenoviruses responsible for a wide range of infectious pathologies, are mentioned in DWD 2020/2184 but are not included as mandatory parameters in water quality monitoring. In the national legislation EO 7/2023, human adenoviruses are not included in the list of mandatory parameters for drinking-water monitoring. In a study by Anversa et al., (2019), the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, considered an indicator of post-treatment contamination, was detected in water samples with residual chlorine concentrations ranging from 0.20 to 2.0 mg/L, demonstrating the resistance of this species to conventional water treatment processes (Tsaridou and Karabelas, 2021). Contamination of water with this bacterium can cause skin and ocular infections in healthy individuals, and acute bacterial infestations in immunocompromised patients (Anversa et al., 2019). According to DWD 2020/2184 and EO 7/2023 (Table 2), the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is no longer considered a mandatory parameter for determining drinking water quality. Table 2 Comparison of parametric and risk-based values for selected biological contaminants Parameter Limit value WFD 2020/2184 Limit value EO 7/2023 E. coli Obligatory parameter, Annex I, Part A. Limit: 0 CFU/100 mL Obligatory parameter, Annex I, Table A. Limit: 0 CFU/100 mL Coliformi Control parameter, Annex I, Part B. Limit: 0 CFU/100 mL Operational control parameter, Annex 1, Table B. Limit: 0 CFU/100 mL Legionella spp. Obligatory parameter in priority buildings, Annex I, Part C. Threshold: 1000 CFU/L Obligatory in priority buildings, Annex 3, Part C. Threshold: 1000 CFU/L Cryptosporidium parvum Not an obligatory parameter but mentioned in the source risk assessment. Not an obligatory parameter; it occurs only in the context of risk assessment (Art. 7, 13) Giardia lamblia Not an obligatory parameter but mentioned in the source risk assessment. Only on recommendation of the authorities, depending on source and local conditions Pseudomonas aeruginosa Not an obligatory parameter but mentioned in the source risk assessment. Not an obligatory parameter. Yes, for bottled water, hospitals Parasites such as Cryptosporidium parvum (Crypto) and Giardia lamblia (Giardia) are associated with water quality, and the transmission of these diseases is associated with suboptimal water treatment. According to a study (Betancourt and Rose, 2004), these pathogens were responsible for drinking water problems, Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, Vol. 71 (75), Nr. 3, 2025 131 and Giardia lamblia cysts were found to be more resistant to removal and inactivation by conventional water treatment than Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. Naturally occurring radionuclides are normally present in drinking water in varying amounts, exhibiting significant seasonal variations; thus, monitoring of some regulated species may be inadequate due to aquifer composition and changes (Tsaridou and Karabelas, 2021). Regulations on radiological contaminants were originally established by Directive 98/83/EC, and outside the scope of this Directive, maximum values were stipulated by the Commission Recommendation of 20 December 2001 on the protection of the public against exposure to radon in drinking water, which is a reference document for Directive 2013/51/EURATOM. This directive allows water operators to set limit values for radon in the range 100-1000 Bq/L, according to the new DWD 2020/2184, the proposed limit for radon is 100 Bq/L. In national legislation, the EURATOM Directive was transposed by HG 301/2016, later supplemented by EO 7/2023 which faithfully transposes the DWD and EURATOM requirements for radioactive substances. Table 3 Comparison of parametric and reference values for selected radiological contaminants Parameter Limit value DWD 2020/2184 Limit value EO 7/2023 Total alpha activity Screening value: 0.1 Bq/L Limit: 0.1 Bq/L Total beta activity Screening value: 0.5 Bq/L Limit: 0.5 Bq/L Radon Not directly regulated in DWD Monitored according to HG 301/2016, if relevant in the catchment area Tritium Reference value: 100 Bq/L Limit: 100 Bq/L Indicative effective dose (IDE) Mentioned by reference to EURATOM: 0.10 mSv/year Transcribed in Romanian legislation also as 0.10 mSv/year 3. Evaluation of the implementation of quality standards In Romania, authorities face the same water quality problems as in other countries, with water quality being affected by several human and natural influences. Thus, Romanian particularities in this field are represented by a specific geographical and economic environment. However, there is no universally accepted set of standards. The existing standards and regulations play an important role in the implementation of monitoring and assessment programs. Thus, standards form a solid basis for technical regulations. 138 Mădălina-Elena Abalașei and Carmen Teodosiu These difficulties are particularly pronounced in rural and peri-urban areas, where outdated infrastructure remains a persistent problem, leading to inefficiencies in water supply and possible contamination (https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/114311530025860150/pdf/12763 0-REVISED-W18010.pdf). This is exacerbated by the fragmented nature of water quality monitoring services, which are often distributed between different institutions with overlapping responsibilities, leading to a lack of coherence and delays in response (https://environment.ec.europa.eu/law-and-governance/environmentalimplementation-review_en). Another structural problem is the under-funding of the water supply sector, both in terms of financial investment and human resources. Local authorities often lack technical expertise and administrative capacity to ensure compliance with EU requirements, in particular those stemming from the Drinking Water Directive. These limitations are further compounded by inefficient enforcement mechanisms that lack the capacity to ensure timely accountability and intervention (Fig. 4). Fig. 4 − Key challenges in implementing water policy in Romania (source: https://www.anrsc.ro/alimentare-cu-apa-si-canalizare/starea-sectoruluide-apa-si-apa-uzata-la-nivel-national-in-anul-2023/). Ambiguities between central and local government agencies create overlaps or gaps in responsibilities, thus contributing to delays, inconsistent decision making or outright inaction in addressing emerging water quality risks (OECD, 2019). Aging Infrastructure 40% of water is lost due to leaky pipes (vs. EU avg. of 23%). 60% of rural systems lack modern treatment facilities. Urban-Rural Inequality Access to safe water: urban areas 98% and rural areas 70%. Regular monitoring: urban areas 100% and rural areas 35%. Funding Shortfall Just 45% of 2014 - 2020 water projects completed. PNRR: Only 2/15 new treatment plants started in 2023. Monitoring Gaps Only 50% of required tests performed in small communities. No real-time public reporting portal. Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, Vol. 71 (75), Nr. 3, 2025 139 4. Conclusions This analysis highlights significant problems with drinking water quality standards and regulations, and how they are implemented at the national and international levels. A number of gaps were found in the regulations and standards of key microbiological contaminants, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Legionella, enteric viruses, Pseudomonas, and chemical contaminants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perand polyfluoroalkylated substances (WHO, 2022; Payment and Locas, 2011; Hu et al., 2016). This study highlighted the major uncertainties in the limit values set for several chemical contaminants. These uncertainties may be caused by methodological variations in risk assessment, lack of necessary infrastructure to monitor these substances, inconsistencies in the adoption of international legislation transposed through standards and regulations. In this context, a regular review of standards and their updates based on the latest scientific evidence is essential to protect public health (WHO, 2022; WHO 2017). A key challenge identified in this study was the reporting of the microbiological indicators. In both national and international legislation, these parameters are presented in general categories (by class) rather than on an individualized basis. One of the most significant constraints is the extended duration of the analyses, which can range from several hours to several days in many cases. The processing time directly influences the responsiveness of the entire monitoring system. This approach may limit the accuracy of microbiological risk assessments and the effectiveness of targeted interventions for drinking water quality. Another critical issue identified in this review relates to the shortcomings of currently available or approved analytical techniques for the determination of hazardous chemicals and of microbiological contaminants. Methodological limitations, low sensitivity of some methods, and lack of complete standardization may affect both the accuracy of the results obtained and the ability to detect emerging contaminants with potential impact on public health (Liu et al., 2025). Therefore, rigorous monitoring of drinking water quality is of increasing importance. Such an approach is essential not only to ensure compliance with national and European standards but also to effectively protect public health against emerging chemical and microbiological risks. Given the current shortcomings in standards and regulations, the implementation of a risk-based approach, as required by the Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184, is fully justified. This new paradigm allows for more flexible and contextualized water quality management and tailoring control measures to the specifics of each supply system. The main responsibility for carrying out risk assessments and implementing the monitoring system lies with 140 Mădălina-Elena Abalașei and Carmen Teodosiu the economic operators, drinking water suppliers, and distributors. This delegation of responsibility raises questions about the technical, institutional, and financial capacity of all operators, especially those in rural areas or those with poor infrastructure, to effectively implement these requirements (WHO, 2022). Authorities must prioritize the regular monitoring and assessment of water quality to address the identified challenges. Restoring water to an acceptable level is becoming increasingly difficult without proactive measures. 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Reglementările privind apa joacă un rol crucial în gestionarea eficientă a resurselor de apă, în special a apei curate și a salubrității. Această analiză evaluează principalii parametri reglementați de standardele naționale și europene și evidențiază problemele legate de implementarea standardelor de calitate a apei în România. Studiul evidențiază principalele limitări ale standardelor datorate subestimării riscurilor asociate contaminanților toxici emergenți și adoptării unor valori limită inadecvate pentru cerințele actuale de sănătate publică, tehnici analitice care nu consideră realizările pe plan mondial, sau protocoalele și instrumentele existente pentru monitorizarea acestora. Concluziile acestei analize în contextul românesc indică deficiențe în cazul mai multor substanțe chimice de sinteză și specii biologice. Implementarea reglementărilor și standardelor este esențială pentru managementul sustenabil al apei, iar parteneriatele regionale și internaționale reprezintă soluții cheie pentru depășirea acestor obstacole.