22.10.2024

Two Third Of Europe's Water Supplies Are Contaminated By Chemicals

Only a third of Europe’s surface water bodies are in good health, according to a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Europe’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters - and the ecosystems they support - are “severely impacted by chemicals”, it warns. Air pollution from coal plants and pesticides from agriculture are two of the main culprits. Unless measures are taken to improve the resilience and sustainability of freshwater supplies, Europe could face serious challenges to water security. Already, 20 per cent of Europe’s territory and 30 per cent of the population are affected by water stress each year. Agriculture plays a key role in degrading both surface and groundwater supplies. This is due to the overuse of water and the release of excessive nutrients and pesticides into the soil, which then seep into water supplies. Contaminated water sources can lead to serious health issues, including gastrointestinal diseases and long-term chronic conditions caused by exposure to toxic chemicals. Harmful algal blooms, exacerbated by agricultural runoff, can release toxins that contaminate drinking water supplies, endangering the health of communities that rely on these sources.Wildlife is equally affected; fish and amphibians face significant threats, with many populations declining due to polluted habitats. High levels of nitrates and phosphates from fertilisers can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, resulting in oxygen depletion that suffocates marine life. Additionally, the degradation of water quality undermines natural habitats, threatening biodiversity and destabilising the delicate balance of ecosystems that support countless species. Without urgent action, the degradation of Europe’s water resources may soon become irreversible, with disastrous consequences for both nature and society.
Credit: TRTWORLD