Traditionally standards for drinking water quality in Europe were based on the World Health Organization (WHO) International and European Standards, and more laterally on the Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality published in 1984. In July 1985, the basis of statutory standards for members of the European Community (EC) become the Directive relating to the Quality of Water intended for Human Consumption. At the same time as some governments in the EC were asking the Commission to review the drinking water Directive, WHO was in the process of revising its 1984 Guidelines. That the two processes became linked was inevitable. A review of the revision of WHO Guidelines for drinking water quality, revision of the EC Directive, and comparison of WHO and EC approaches is given.