NITRATE POLLUTION FALLING, BUT GREATER EFFORTS STILL NEEDED TO MEET WATER QUALITY STANDARDS ACROSS THE EU

The agricultural use of nitrates in organic and chemical fertilisers has been a major source of water pollution in Europe.

A European Commission report published today reveals that nitrate levels in waters across the EU are falling. The report shows that the implementation of legislation to prevent nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters is proving effective. However, in some regions, nitrate concentrations exceed EU water quality standards and farmers need to continue to adopt more sustainable practices.

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "Safeguarding water quality is a top priority for European environment policy. Farmers have worked hard to improve fertilisation management, which is now yielding benefits and improving water quality trends. However, in some regions, meeting EU water quality standards remains a serious and continuing challenge."

Encouraging water quality trends but important challenges remain

The agricultural use of nitrates in organic and chemical fertilisers has been a major source of water pollution in Europe. While nitrates are a vital nutrient to help plants and crops grow, high concentrations are harmful to people and nature.

Today's report on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive, which aims to control pollution and improve water quality, shows a trend towards steady or falling nitrate concentrations within the EU. Between 2004 and 2007, nitrate concentrations in surface water (including rivers, lakes and canals) remained stable or fell at 70% of monitored sites. Quality at 66% of groundwater (below ground surface) monitoring sites is stable or improving.

However, despite these encouraging trends, the report reveals a number of regions where nitrate levels are worrying. High nitrate concentrations are found in groundwater in parts of Estonia, south-east Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders), UK (England), several parts of France, northern Italy, north-east Spain, south-east Slovakia, southern Romania, Malta and Cyprus. Particularly high concentrations are found in surface waters in Malta, UK (England), Belgium (Flanders) and France (Brittany).

According to the report some 15% of groundwater monitoring stations and 3% of surface stations found nitrate concentrations above the water quality standard of 50 mg/l.