Europe is facing an unprecedented water crisis, with only a third of its surface water considered to be in good health, according to a recent report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Pollution, habitat degradation, climate change, and the overuse of freshwater resources are putting immense pressure on the continent’s water systems.
“The health of Europe’s waters is not good. Our waters face an unprecedented set of challenges that threatens Europe’s water security,” said Leena Yla-Mononen, EEA executive director, in a statement accompanying the report.
The EEA’s analysis revealed that only 37% of Europe’s surface water bodies have achieved “good” or “high” ecological status—a measure of aquatic ecosystem health. Even more concerning, only 29% of surface waters reached “good” chemical status during the 2015-2021 period, based on data reported by EU member states.
Groundwater, which is the source of most of Europe’s drinking water, fared somewhat better, with 77% attaining “good” chemical status. However, this still leaves a significant portion of groundwater resources at risk.
Good chemical status indicates that water is free from excessive pollution, including chemical nutrients and toxic substances like polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics, which pose significant risks to human health.
The report highlights several key threats to surface water, including air pollution from coal burning and vehicle emissions, as well as agricultural practices that lead to soil contamination. “European agriculture needs to increase its use of more sustainable organic and agroecological practices, accompanied by incentives and a change in our food and dietary habits,” the report stated.
The EEA analyzed 120,000 surface water bodies and 3.8 million square kilometers of groundwater areas across 19 EU countries and Norway. It called on member states to take decisive action, including halving the use of pesticides by 2030, to protect and restore water health.
“We need to redouble our efforts to restore the health of our valued rivers, lakes, coastal waters, and other water bodies, and to make sure this vital resource is resilient and secure for generations to come,” emphasized Yla-Mononen.
Climate change is exacerbating the situation, with extreme droughts and flooding putting additional strain on Europe’s water resources. The overuse of freshwater further threatens lakes, rivers, coastal waters, and groundwater “like never before,” according to the EEA.
The agency urged governments to prioritize reducing water consumption and restoring ecosystems to mitigate these challenges.
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Europe's water security under threat, environment agency warns
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