About: water pollution
In Spain, dozens of villages struggle for drinking water
Across the country, nitrates and arsenic have made the water undrinkable for village's residents, who number 350 in winter and nearly 1,000 in summer. Groundwater resources are at risk from agricultural pollution, a lack of water quality controls and drought.
Agri Commissioner backs call for polluter pays principle in farming
The farming sector should be made financially responsible for pollution, especially water pollution, according to a new report by the European court of auditors, an idea welcomed by the EU's Agriculture Commissioner.
Europe’s bathing waters may not be as good as EU assessment suggests
With just a few weeks to go before the summer holidays, the EU's environment agency (EEA) and the European Commission have presented quite satisfactory results for the bloc's bathing areas in 2020. However, some environmentalists have warned that this does not reflect "the true reality of our waters"
French residents oppose housing project due to heavily polluted land plots
The French senate is set to debate an inquiry committee report on soil pollution on Wednesday (13 January) after residents of the Ormes district in the Paris Commune of Romainville opposed a housing project on a very polluted plot of land, . EURACTIV France reports.
Only slight improvements in German nitrate levels
This week, Germany must report the nitrate levels of its groundwater to the European Commission. According to media reports, the trend is slightly positive but even the Commission admits that a comparison with other EU countries is difficult. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Environmental law expert: Detecting environmental crime is quite a problem
Water pollution, illegally dumped waste – crimes against the environment are difficult to trace back and prosecute properly. A recent report shows the magnitude and costs of this problem. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Mediterannean is Europe’s most waste-polluted sea, study says
The Mediterranean Sea is the most waste-polluted sea in Europe, according to a 20-year study conducted by the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer). EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'environnement reports.
Bad water management makes drought worse, study finds
As Europe is facing a new heatwave this week, drought emergency measures will be back on the table. According to a study EU member states do a lot to worsen the impacts of drought.
EU clean water laws under attack from industry lobbyists
Industry lobbies are mounting a push to roll back EU clean water regulations, even though less than half of the continent’s rivers, wetlands and lakes are in a healthy state. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
EU project optimises drinking water quality using space technologies
The use of space technologies could play a crucial role in optimising potable water processing operations in order to achieve higher quality, according to the results of an EU-funded project.
A watertight CAP
The European Commission needs to deliver an agricultural policy that does not reward agricultural pollution, write Claudia Castell-Exner and Arjen Frentz from Europe's drinking water and wastewater service operators (EurEau).
Time for EU member states to protect lakes and rivers
The latest science shows that Europe’s freshwater bodies are in a dreadful ecological state. Governments must finally take responsibility and undertake serious efforts to comply with EU legislation, urges Andreas Baumüller.
Ecolabels have lost all credibility, report claims
Lack of transparency, oversights, confusion… A report by the Dutch Foundation Changing Markets, published on 3 May, reveals the inefficiency of environmental labels, particularly for seafood, textiles and palm oil. EURACTIV's partner Le Journal de l'environnement reports.
UN ready to pursue new treaty to protect high seas
Waters outside national boundaries are currently unregulated, devastated by overfishing and pollution. Now, 140 countries look set to back a motion to establish a treaty. EURACTIV's partner The Guardian reports.
Europe’s love of roses sends ripples through Kenyan lake
Kenya is one of the biggest exporters of cut flowers in the world but the booming industry has created a raft of environmental problems. Local producers are now coming up with new ideas to cut pollution while keeping their business profitable.
Pierre Yves Cousteau: Let’s learn from Ancient Greece about environment
Eight million tonnes of plastic leaks into the oceans and seas per year, resulting in the reduction of at least 600 species, at an annual cost of $80 million to European fishermen. However, there is a way out and it can be found in the past, according to the son of the great ocean explorer, Pierre Yves Cousteau. Euractiv.gr reports.
Squaring the circle of plastics recycling
The snail pace so far in terms of implementation of the EU Action Plan on the Circular Economy is embarrassing, write Anders Wijkman and Catia Bastioli.
Increased drugs’ use threatens aquatic environment, report says
The steady ageing of Europe's population will result in an increased consumption of medicines, which will consequently lead to higher concentrations of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment and pose potential threats to public health, a new study has warned.
Plastic fibres found in tap water around the world, study reveals
Microplastic contamination has been found in tap water in countries around the world, leading to calls from scientists for urgent research on the implications for health. EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian reports.
WHO: Environmental pollution causes one in four infant deaths
Unhealthy environments kill 1.7 million children under the age of five each year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst-affected region. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.
UfM representative: ‘Obligation’ to protect Mediterranean from climate change
COP22 kicked off this week and achieving the goals set by the last instalment in Paris will top the agenda of the Marrakesh conference. EURACTIV Spain spoke with Miguel García-Herraiz about the climate challenges facing the countries that border the Mediterranean.
EU takes Germany to court over high nitrate levels
The European Commission is taking Germany to court because of high nitrate levels that have been detected in its water. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s image as environmental trailblazer tarnished by court cases
Germany likes to see itself as a pioneer when dealing with environmental issues, but when it comes to implementing European standards, Berlin is hardly a poster child. EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
