SOER 2015 - Freshwater quality

Freshwater quality — SOER 2015 thematic assessment: The results from the first River Basin Management Plans showed that many European water bodies currently fail the WFD's objective of achieving good ecological and chemical status. In 2009, 43% of surface water bodies were in good or high ecological status, and in 2015, 53% of water bodies are expected to reach good ecological status. This is far from meeting the objective of good ecological status and only constitutes a modest improvement in ecological status. To achieve good status, Member States have to address the pressures affecting water bodies. Pollution is one pressure. Morphological changes, over-abstraction, and hydrological changes affecting water flow are others. Water management should therefore improve with the second round of river basin management plans covering the 2016-2021 period resulting in the realisation of more policy objectives through stringent, well-integrated implementation and public participation.

Freshwater quality — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: The continuing presence of a range of pollutants in a number of Europe's freshwaters threatens aquatic ecosystems and raises concerns for public health. Current reporting under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) shows that a substantial proportion of Europe's freshwaters are at risk of not achieving the aim of 'good status' by 2015. Driven by the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), improvements in the collection and treatment of wastewater in some regions of Europe have led to a reduction in the discharge of some pollutants to fresh and coastal waters. Challenges remain, however, because UWWTD implementation remains incomplete and other significant sources of water pollution exist, especially agriculture and urban storm flows. The implementation of effective and timely measures, required under the WFD, needs to encompass a greater focus on controls 'at source' and the efficient use of resources including water, energy and chemicals.