Healthy waters depend on healthy nature

State of European nature and waters must be improved

Our use of limited fresh water sources, especially groundwater and aquifers, is threatening Europe’s water supply like never before. The problem is exacerbated by our often-inefficient methods of economic production and consumption, our agri-food system that relies on intensive pesticides and fertiliser use, and the continuing growth of our cities and transportation networks. Nature, which includes lakes, rivers and other freshwater bodies, is under severe threat. And the impacts of climate change are making the situation worse.  

According to the latest EEA data, most protected aquatic habitats and species are in a poor or bad conservation status. Across Europe, there is a steep decline in the numbers of migratory freshwater fish, such as eel, sturgeon and salmon. Amphibian, freshwater fish and bird populations depending on waterbodies also continue to decline.

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Centuries of building barriers, like bridges and dams for transport or energy production, have severely impaired the natural flow and physical features of many European rivers, blocking fish passage. Flood protection can fragment floodplain areas, altering natural hydrological cycles. Moreover, sewage and wastewater are a major source of water pollution. 

Nature restoration and climate adaptation can provide many benefits  

European countries and the EU have already put in place many policies and measures to address pollution to clean up our lakes, rivers and coastal waters. These policies – including the European Green Deal, the Water Framework Directive, standards for wastewater treatment and the recently-passed Nature Restoration Law – are key to reducing pollution, and conserving and restoring water bodies.  

For example, many countries are already combining nature restoration with climate adaptation projects which benefit nature and improve local water health. This is being done by building less near rivers or on floodplains and restoring wetlands, which can act as overflow areas during floods. These nature-based solutions help restore local ecosystems while also providing protection against weather extremes and green spaces for people.

Pressures on the water environment as in the Water Framework Directive

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What will be crucial in the years ahead? First and foremost, we must reduce our use and over-dependence on water supplies for industry, in our homes and especially for agriculture. For farming, there are opportunities available to develop more water-efficient and drought-resistant crops and improve water storage in soils. Together with increasing water reuse, such innovation can reduce reliance on irrigation.  

Old dams and other unneeded barriers within and around rivers can also be removed to restore their natural flow. This would improve the health of local ecosystems, which can restore local fish and bird populations. Reconnecting rivers and their floodplains and restoring wetlands and peatlands should be seen as an essential step to restoring healthy, biodiverse freshwater ecosystems. This would ensure that ecosystems can deliver their key services such as the good-quality water, nutrient recycling, water retention, and carbon storage. 

For our homes, encouraging water-saving and reducing water demand, would help as well. Water pricing is also an important driver for water efficiency and the revenue can be used towards funding more sustainable solutions.