Press Release: European Commission: Nitrate pollution falling, but greater efforts still needed to meet water quality standards across the EU

A European Commission report published on 11 February 2010 reveals that nitrate levels in waters across the EU are falling. The report shows that the implementation of legislation to prevent nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters is proving effective. However, in some regions, nitrate concentrations exceed EU water quality standards and farmers need to continue to adopt more sustainable practices.