The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published
a new indicator that tracks findings of pesticides in Europe’s
rivers, lakes and groundwaters. The data, collected from EEA
member countries across Europe, shows the share of water bodies
where excessive levels of pesticides have been recorded from
2013 to 2019.
The new EEA indicator shows that levels of pesticides
exceeding thresholds were measured in a quarter of all reported
monitoring sites in European surface waters in 2019. From 2013
to 2019, this share varied between 13% and 30%. The share for
groundwater with exceedances was considerably lower, at
between 3% and 7%.
In the EU, pesticides are regulated on the basis of high
protection goals for human health and the environment, with
being authorised only after a comprehensive scientific risk
assessment. Nevertheless, pesticide contamination of surface
waters and groundwater can still occur and could affect aquatic
fauna and flora.
Internet: <www.eea.europa.eu> (adapted).