Water: At risk in Europe, says the European Environment Agency
The health of European waters is not good,” says Leena Ila-Mononen – One of the most precious resources, water, is at risk.
Europe must manage its water resources better to guarantee its citizens good quality water, warns a report by the European Environment Agency, noting that only 37% of surface waters on the European continent are in good or very good ecological health.
The report of the European Environment Agency is more than concerning.
The health of European waters is not good. Our waters are facing a series of unprecedented problems that threaten Europe’s water security,” said the director of the organization, Leena Ilmala-Mononen, in a statement, as reported by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
As for the chemical health of surface waters, it is good in only 29% of cases, compared to 77% for the groundwater, from which most of the drinking water consumed by Europeans comes.
Good chemical health means the absence of excessive pollution from organic elements and harmful chemicals such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics.
The biggest threats
Surface waters are threatened by atmospheric pollution (coal burning, car emissions, etc.) and agriculture, which produces large amounts of waste that pollute the soils.
European agriculture should increase the use of more sustainable natural and agroecological practices that will be accompanied by incentives and a change in our dietary habits,” according to the report by the European Environment Agency.
The European organization has analyzed 120,000 external water surfaces and 3.8 million square kilometers of groundwater in 19 countries of the European Union and Norway, and is calling for a 50% reduction in the use of herbicides by 2030.
We must double our efforts to restore the health of our precious water streams, lakes, coastal waters, and other bodies of water so that this vital resource is preserved and safe for future generations,” emphasizes Leena Ila-Mononen.
The consequences of climate change (drought and floods) and the overexploitation of water resources also put pressure on water resources.
The restriction of water consumption and the restoration of ecosystems must be priorities for governments at a time when water resources are under pressure due to climate change, heavy rainfall, glacier melting, and drought, according to the report.
