The European Commission has issued a grave alert about the condition of Europe’s waterways, disclosing that the majority of rivers, lakes, and streams across the continent are significantly polluted with mercury and other contaminants.

This extensive pollution is exacerbating a persistent water quality crisis, prompting the need for immediate action to tackle the problem.

As per the Commission’s recent findings, under 40 percent of the EU’s surface water bodies achieve good ecological status, and only slightly more than a quarter comply with the required chemical pollution standards, mainly due to mercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

These pollutants remain in the environment for long durations, circulating through the atmosphere, soil, water, and living organisms. The reports are part of the groundwork for a new EU Water Resilience Strategy, which is expected to be unveiled later this year.

European Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall stressed the necessity of enhancing water resilience, pointing out threats that include pollution, challenges in water supply, and insufficient flood preparedness.

The objective of the strategy is to guarantee access to clean water and to bolster defenses against water-related risks. Mercury, which is chiefly released through fossil fuel combustion, and PAHs, arising from both historical pollution and ongoing emissions, are significant factors in the deteriorating chemical condition of EU waterways.

Groundwater, which accounts for 65 percent of the EU’s drinking water, is in relatively better shape, with 86 percent of groundwater bodies attaining good chemical standards.

However, challenges remain due to pollutants like nitrates from intensive agriculture and livestock farming. In the Baltic Sea, the contamination from nitrogen and phosphorus, primarily from fertilizers, has severely affected coastal waters.

The European Commission is contemplating more stringent regulations for the agricultural sector, recognizing the necessity for farmers to be involved in water management dialogues.

The report also highlighted the influence of the European Green Deal, which could facilitate enhancements in water quality through initiatives such as the updated Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

Despite these efforts, several EU nations have expressed their intentions to seek exemptions from environmental regulations, including extending deadlines or lowering standards.

The Commission is also addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. Water scarcity and drought have become escalating concerns in the EU, with more countries looking for exemptions due to the effects of prolonged droughts on their capacity to meet water quality objectives.