The EEA published a new indicatorThis tracks the findings of Pesticides in Europe’s rivers, lakes, and groundwaters. The data, which was collected from EEA members across Europe, shows how many water bodies have seen excessive levels of pesticides between 2013 and 2019. These data only include pesticides that have been reported by EEA member countries for which European exceedance thresholds were set.
The new EEA indicator shows how levels of pesticides that exceed thresholds were measured in a quarter (25%) of all European monitoring sites. Surface waters2019 This share fluctuated between 13% to 30% from 2013 to 2019. The share of GroundwaterExceedances were significantly lower at between 3% to 7%.
The data, provided by countries voluntarily, still contains significant gaps. It is too early to see a steady trend in pesticides polluting European waters.
Pesticides are different from other pollutants in that they are intended to have effects on organisms such as plants, insects, and fungi. This can impact the environment. Pesticides are subject to high environmental and human health protection goals in the EU. They can be authorized only after a thorough scientific risk assessment. However, pesticide contamination of groundwater and surface waters can still occur and could have an adverse effect on aquatic fauna and flora.
The EEA plans to update the indicator next spring. It will be part a larger set of indicators that tracks progress on the European Commission’s zero pollution ambition, Farm to Fork, and Biodiversity strategies.
Note for editors
The EEA’s most recent and second edition Assessment of the water quality The results showed that, despite some progress, the vast majority of Europe’s water bodies still do not meet the EU’s minimum goal for good Ecological status. In 2016, approximately 47% of the EU member states and Europe reported more recent data. The data included reports from all 28 EU member states and Europe. They had chemical statuses that were good or excellent, with no concentrations of priority substance pollutants exceeding EU standards.