A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) reveals that the continent's water resources are under under serious pressure, with no significant progress since 2009. The analysis highlights the urgent need for stricter implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), for significant changes in agricultural production, for reducing pollution and for urgent restoration of ecosystems.
The authors of the study emphasize that in Europe:
- less than 40% of surface waters, such as rivers and lakes, are currently defined as healthy;
- nearly 1/4 of groundwater bodies are not in good chemical condition, despite providing nearly two-thirds of our drinking water;
- less than 30% of rivers, lakes and coastal waters meet the permissible pollution standards set by the Water Framework Directive.
Harmful agricultural practices, especially the intensive use of nutrients and pesticides, continue to be the most serious problem facing water quality. Diffuse pollution pressure from agriculture affects 32% of groundwater and 29% of surface water. Among the other reasons for the poor state of freshwater ecosystems, chemical pollution from coal-fired power plants, as well as changes in rivers caused by the construction of dam walls and straightening of river beds, also stand out.
“The deteriorating state of water in Europe shows that for years member states have failed to deal with the water crisis.
The framework directive has been in force for over two decades. However, its goals remain largely unfulfilled because national governments do not take its demands seriously. Unfortunately, there are even strong calls to weaken the directive's standards to facilitate harmful project activities. And this is happening at a time when we really need the uncompromising protection of our water resources”, commented Claire Buffet from the WWF European Policy Office in Brussels.
As well as highlighting the scale of the crisis, the report also draws attention to the consequences we will all face if we do not take urgent action now. However, he also points to the good example of Estonia, which is working to restore 3,300 km of rivers by removing dams and barriers and thus stabilizing populations of 32 species.
“The report says it very clearly and categorically: Europe's water is at serious risk. Unfortunately, it does not analyze the data from our country, because Bulgaria was seriously late with the preparation of the River Basin Management Plans and missed the deadlines set by the Water Framework Directive. This fact comes to confirm the other conclusion – national governments are still not paying due attention to and prioritizing this critical resource for the future of people and ecosystems. A large part of the water protection measures envisaged in these Management Plans remain unfunded and unimplemented. This applies with particular force to the so-called “green measures” which aim to protect water resources through nature-based solutions”, says Stoyan Mihov, head of the “Waters” program. in WWF.
The report also highlights the price that we, as citizens of the European Union, will have to pay because of government inaction. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, 78% of Europeans want the EU to do more to tackle water pollution. Therefore, the coalition of non-governmental organizations Living Rivers Europe calls on member states to accelerate the implementation of the Framework Directive and to integrate the protection of water resources and ecosystems in all their policies.