Nitrate in groundwater (Indicator)

Key messages: Nitrate concentrations in EU groundwater did not change significantly between 2000 and 2022. The number of groundwater monitoring stations with nitrate concentrations greater than 50 mg/l has not been reduced.

Average groundwater nitrate levels in the EU, 2000-2022

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Nutrients not taken up by plants, such as nitrogen, can be lost to the environment and become pollutants when present in excessive amounts. Nitrate (NO₃) in groundwater is one of these. At high levels, it poses threats to the environment and human health. 

Despite the EU legislation in force to tackle nutrient pollution, the average nitrate concentration in EU groundwaters did not change significantly from 2000 to 2022. The average concentrations stabilised at around 21 mg NO₃/l. In addition, data reported under the Nitrates Directive (EEC, 1991) covering the period 2016-2019 show that 14.1% of groundwater stations exceeded the maximum allowable concentration of 50 mg NO₃/l (EC, 2021b). This compares poorly to 13.2% of stations observed in the previous reporting period 2012-2015.

Please consult the relevant indicators and signals below for a more comprehensive overview on the topic.

This indicator uses data reported under two different obligations. For the time series of average concentrations shown in Figure 1 data from WISE SoE - Water quality (WISE-6) reporting obligation are used (published in Waterbase – Water Quality ICM).

Furthermore, for this time series, annual mean concentrations are used as a basis in for the analyses. Unless a country reports aggregated data, the aggregation of annual mean concentrations is done by the EEA. Automatic quality control procedures are applied both to disaggregated and aggregated data, excluding data failing the tests from further analysis. In addition, a semi-manual procedure is applied, focusing on suspicious values that have a major impact on the country time series and on the most recently reported data. 

More information is available on the EEA indicator page.

References and footnotes

EEC, 1991, Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1-8).
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EC, 2021b, Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2016–2019 (COM/2021/1000 final).
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EC, 2022, Zero Pollution Outlook 2022, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg
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EU, 2014, Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration (OJ L 372, 27.12.2006, pp. 19-31).
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Nitrate in groundwater (Indicator)

Average groundwater nitrate levels in the EU, 2000-2022

Zero Pollution Action Plan 2030 target or policy objectives

Other relevant indicators and signals

References and footnotes