In a report published on Tuesday 15 October, the European Environment Agency (EEA) estimated that less than 40% of surface water, such as rivers and lakes, is healthy. Groundwater, which provides almost two-thirds of the EU’s drinking water, is also affected. 25% of this groundwater is not in good chemical condition.
Pollution, habitat degradation, the effects of climate change and the over-exploitation of water resources are at the root of this pressure on surface water and...