Presidential Decree No. 236 implementing EEC Directive No. 80/778 on the quality of water for human consumption, as per art. 15 of Act of 16 April 1987, No. 183.

The present Decree establishes the quality standards for water destined to human consumption with a view to protecting and safeguarding the water resources. Quality standards are evaluated on the basis of organoleptic, physical, chemical and microbiological standards, as well as standards concerning the evaluation of undesirable and toxic substances and the evaluation of the hardness of water; methods and frequency of analyses are also regulated by the Decree. Provisions are made for the establishment of protected areas, in order to regulate water abstraction and to conserve and improve the quality of water for human consumption. Furthermore, the Decree states the powers and duties of the Government and of the regions and the sanitary checks to be carried out by the competent authorities of the local health unit (USL).