The government determines the maximum amount of chemicals and living organisms that may be present in drinking water.

RIVM uses its knowledge and expertise in microbiology and statistics to provide advice to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and other relevant parties about national implementation and national (and international) evaluation of the European Bathing Water Directive.

RIVM provides recommendations and conducts scientific research in swimming pools (bathing establishments).

Clean water contributes to a healthy life. For instance, clean water that people can swim in encourages people to be more active. RIVM has an advisory role and conducts scientific research into the quality of bathing water.

Since 1990, RIVM has been collecting data on health issues caused by contact with bathing water by conducting a periodic survey.

During the bathing season, official swimming locations are checked for bathing water quality. In the Netherlands, the bathing season runs from 1 May to 1 October. There are no inspections of bathing water quality outside the bathing season.

RIVM, working in collaboration with other institutes, has mapped out the effects of climate change on drinking water supply. This detailed assessment has been included in the National Adaptation Strategy (2016).