The EU Commission will sue France over high nitrate content in drinking water
Due to excess Nitrate content in drinking water, the EU Commission is set to sue France before the European Court of Justice (ECJ). According to Brussels authorities, the Nitrate concentration in drinking water exceeded the EU-set maximum limit for an extended period. In 107 water supply areas in seven regions of France, the limit was reportedly surpassed. The country now faces a hefty fine.
The Commission had informed Germany of its stance in October 2020. According to the Commission, French authorities have not taken sufficient measures to rectify the situation. For instance, manure such as manure can leach Nitrate into the soil, which in excess can disrupt the natural balance. Moreover, Nitrate can give rise to harmful Nitrites. EU states are required to report data on the contamination of their waters with Nitrate to the European Commission every four years.
With the Drinking Water Directive, the Commission aims to ensure high-quality drinking water in the EU. To safeguard human health, measures have also been taken against potentially harmful pollutants such as microplastics.
Early June saw Germany avoid a million-euro fine from the EU over Nitrate-contaminated water. The proceedings had been ongoing for several years. Later in the summer, the EU Commission announced that regulations issued by the Federal Government and the States now comply with EU law.
In the past, announced measures like manure regulations, intended to prevent EU fines due to Nitrate contamination in groundwater at numerous locations, have often led to protests from farmers. They fear that the restrictions could impact their crop yields. In the Netherlands, for example, there were weeks of protests against planned environmental regulations aimed at addressing excessive Nitrogen pollution.
The European Commission, citing the EU-Directive on Drinking Water, is urging Germany to address its own Nitrate levels in water supplies, having previously warned France for exceeding the EU limit. The Drinking Water Directive aims to preserve the value of high-quality drinking water across Europe, protecting human health from harmful pollutants like Nitrate and microplastics.
