The present Ordinance implements the Council Directive 75/440/EEC concerning the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States and the Council Directive 79/869/EEC concerning the methods of measurement and frequencies of sampling and analysis of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States .For this purpose surface waters shall be classified according to limiting values into three categories, A1, A2 and A3 as laid down in the Annexes. The text - consisting of 5 articles - deals with the following issues: purpose of the Ordinance, sphere of application, quality required of surface water, exceptions and entry into force. Three Annexes are enclosed.