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Reliable access to sufficient amounts of good-quality, clean water is no longer guaranteed across Europe. One of the main reasons is pollution that harms nature and can cause negative health effects on people.
Multiple threats and negative impacts
The unhealthy state of Europe’s many rivers, lakes, coastal waters and groundwater bodies is a challenge in many parts of Europe. A vast majority of water bodies still fail to meet the EU’s minimum target for ‘good status’, according to the latest EEA report on Europe’s state of water. At the same time, reducing pollution in water is progressing too slowly.
The report shows that the most significant issues impacting water quality – both above ground and below – is pollution from energy generation that is dispersed through air, and pollution to land and water from agriculture. Moreover, European waters still suffer from past pollution: some substances, like mercury and brominated flame retardants, can stay in the environment for a very long time.
Air pollution deposition is a key reason pollutants make their way into Europe’s water. Pollutants that are released, for example, from power generation, industry and traffic can later return with rainfall to the earth's surface and end up in water.
Another particular concern for European waters is the agricultural use of fertilisers and pesticides. Substances like herbicides, fungicides or insecticides are used to protect crops from pests. However, from fields, gardens, roadsides and more, these substances can enter nearby rivers, streams or lakes. They also soak into soils and groundwater.
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Excessive use of pesticides and nutrients can negatively affect the health of ecosystems, habitats and species like fish or birds, as well as our own health. These substances – meant to kill unwanted weeds, insects or fungi – can also harm animal species, disrupt ecosystem functions and cause chronic diseases in humans. Pesticide use may also compromise our long-term food production due to the rise of pesticide-resistant pests and diseases, and the large-scale loss of pollinators.
Other harmful substances in European waters include mercury, brominated flame retardants and the so-called ‘forever chemicals’, like PFAS. This group of chemicals has been used in everything from firefighting foams and coating for non-stick frying pans to furniture and outdoor clothing. Forever chemicals can seriously impact human health.
How is Europe reducing pollution in water?
A growing number of efforts and measures across Europe aim to prevent pollutants from making their way into water and reduce their negative impacts.
European legislation, such as on urban wastewater treatment, industrial emissions, nitrates and bathing water, has already significantly improved water quality. The Water Framework Directive sets quality standards for good water status that EU Member States must apply, whereas the Urban Wastewater Directive sets out rules for how wastewater should be treated.
Overall, EU water policies – rules that protect water quality, and fresh and saltwater ecosystems – have been reinforced under the European Green Deal (EGD). This includes the zero pollution action plan, which aims to reduce pollution in water, soil and air to levels no longer considered harmful to health and ecosystems by 2050. Zero-pollution targets important for water are the aims to reduce nutrient losses from soils by 50% and reduce the use and risk of pesticides by 50% by 2030.
Addressing pollution pressures on European waters
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To achieve these goals, national authorities across the EU need to act in line with these ambitions and enforce existing EU legislation. The agriculture sector also needs to shift to more sustainable farming practices, which includes using less pesticides. Other related EU policies on safer and more sustainable chemicals support such efforts.
Pollution, water and health, in a nutshell
- Europe’s many surface and groundwaters continue to be threatened by pollution, which negatively impacts the health of people and nature. Only 29% of lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal waters achieved ‘good’ chemical status in the EEA’s latest assessment.
- The EEA’s assessment on the state of water identifies coal-powered energy generation and diffuse pollution from agriculture as two key sources of water pollution.
- Changes in farming practices and the use of new technology can help agriculture use less water and reduce pollution.
- Energy-saving measures and using more renewables will reduce pollution from fossil fuels.
What can you do?
- If you have a garden, try using alternative methods to control pests, like plants that attract beneficial predators such as ladybugs.
- Do not dispose of used medicines and chemicals down the sink. Take left-over products to certified disposal centres so they do not end up in the water system.
- Support eco-friendly farming practices by buying pesticide-free fruits and vegetables, if this is possible for you.
- Learn about what your local commune or municipality is doing to contain wastewater spills into the environment, especially during heavy rainfall events which can overburden sewer systems.