Water Quality Regulations 2026

The Water Quality Regulations 2026 establish a legal framework governing water intended for human consumption in Gibraltar. The Regulations, made under section 13 of the Treaty on Gibraltar and the European Union Act 2026, replace the previous potable water regime and impose obligations on water suppliers to ensure that water supplied for drinking, cooking, food preparation and related domestic purposes is wholesome and clean. Water must comply with microbiological, chemical and indicator parameters set out in the Schedules, and suppliers are required to prevent any deterioration in water quality in accordance with the precautionary principle. The Regulations define points of compliance, establish responsibilities for maintaining water quality within supply systems, and set specific duties relating to domestic distribution systems, including measures addressing risks associated with lead and Legionella. The Regulations adopt a risk-based approach covering the entire water supply chain, from water abstraction and catchment areas through treatment, storage and distribution to the point of consumption. Water suppliers, the Environmental Agency as competent authority, and relevant public authorities must undertake periodic risk assessments and implement risk management measures to identify, prevent and mitigate hazards that could affect human health. The Regulations require monitoring programmes tailored to individual supply systems, including monitoring of specified contaminants, substances on watch lists, radioactive substances and operational indicators. Water suppliers must also maintain systems for reporting monitoring results, notifying authorities of risks, and providing accessible information to consumers regarding water quality, consumption, pricing and public health concerns. The Regulations further establish mechanisms for remedial action, derogations, licensing, enforcement and public oversight. Water suppliers must investigate and rectify any exceedance of parametric values and, where a potential danger to human health exists, may be required to restrict water use or prohibit supply while corrective measures are implemented. Limited derogations may be granted in defined circumstances where public health is not endangered and alternative water sources are unavailable. The competent authority is empowered to license water suppliers, conduct inspections, issue directions, collect monitoring data and recover regulatory costs. Offences are created for pollution, contamination, failure to comply with regulatory obligations or directions, and other breaches of the Regulations, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. The Schedules provide detailed technical standards on water quality parameters, monitoring requirements, analytical methods, public information obligations, and monitoring of radioactive substances in drinking water