- The average nitrate concentration in European rivers has decreased from 2.5 to 2.1 mg N/l since 1992.
- Nutrient levels in lakes are in general much lower than in rivers, but there has also been a 15 % reduction of the average concentrations in lakes.
- Phosphorus concentrations in European rivers and lakes generally decreased during the last 15 years.
- Between 2004 and 2007 nitrate concentrations in surface water remained stable or fell at 70 % of monitored sites and quality at 66 % of groundwater monitoring points is stable or improving (EU, 2010).
Geographical coverage:
Nitrate in rivers: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Orthophosphate in rivers: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Total Phosphorus in lakes: Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungay, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland.
