Protection of water quality 
July 2008

The European Union considers as very important four issues, on which it has decided to concentrate for the years to come. These issues are air, water, waste and nature.

Fresh water is necessary for the survival and the well being of human populations but obtaining and maintaining enough quantities for the growing needs, is becoming an increasingly difficult task.

The amount of groundwater which is extracted every year is more than can be replaced by the natural water cycle. In the European Union the water drawn for industrial, agricultural and domestic uses is somewhere between 200 and 1000 m³ per person per year.

Additionally the fresh water, the coast and sea waters are polluted by various factors such discharges, solid waste dumping, emptying and cleaning tanks in the sea, organic pollution, heat discharges and unlicensed gas discharges or dumping.

Pollution affects freshwater and marine ecosystems. Excessive pumping for drinking and irrigation, is constantly depleting the underground waterbeds. The dried aquifers close to the coast are being filled up by salt seawater.

But industrial pollution and excessive water extraction are not the only dangers for the water supply. Actually the most significant problems are caused by the widespread use of fertilizers, manure and pesticides. Additionally leaks from underground tanks used for storing heating oil contribute to the contamination of the waters.

As these pollutants come in to contact with water, they are transferred into the rivers, lakes and the sea. In recent years in the Mediterranean countries, large quantities of algae in the sea, were the result of pollution which was a major problem since it made beaches unpleasant for tourists.

The total amount of water on earth does not change. Today there is as much water as thousands years ago. Planet Earth is covered by water at 75% of its surface. Some people suggested to call the planet "Water" rather than "Earth".

However most of the water is salty and only 3% is freshwater. An important part of this freshwater is frozen in glaciers and icebergs.

It is obvious that the amount of water available for life is very limited and it has to be protected.

The quality of water has always been a major issue in European Union environmental policy. Although it has improved over the last 30 years, there is still a need to be careful, particularly about using too much water, and the continuing problem of pollution.

The overall aim is to achieve a good ecological status for all waters, to the benefit of people, wildlife, and the environment in general. This means dealing with the water cycle as a whole, and it has brought a new approach to research and legislation.

It involves thinking about entire river basins, instead of trying to divide water up by administrative or political boundaries. After all, rivers don't stop at national frontiers!

The European Union has issued a number of laws, or 'directives', to try and solve the problems facing freshwater and seawater systems:

1. The Drinking Water Directive sets thresholds for health safety (for example, regarding the content of microbiological contaminants, lead, etc)
    
2. The Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive requires the European Union's Member States to install proper wastewater treatment for all cities and industry
    
3. The Nitrates Directive aims at reducing the quantity of fertilizers, such as nitrates and phosphates, used in farming
    
4. The Bathing Water Directive sets health standards for natural fresh and coastal waters (not for swimming pools) so that you run less risk of getting sick when you go swimming. It is currently being updated
    
5. Finally, the new Water Framework Directive puts forward a new plan for managing water, organized by river basins. This law is different in that it is being drawn up after listening to the views of everybody with an interest in the subject � the so-called 'stakeholders'.

The European Union follows a 'multidirectional' approach, not just passing laws, but also offering incentives for 'greener' behavior, and working in many different areas.

The European Union uses 'Eco-labeling'  to identify products that do not damage the environment. To get an Eco-label, the whole production cycle, use and disposal of a product must conform to high standards, covering the use of natural resources and energy, disposal and waste, noise, emissions to air, water and soil and effect on ecosystems. In 1999, for example, the European Union established standards for laundry detergents. The Eco-label now covers 19 different product groups.

We have to recognize that in order that efforts to protect the environment and the water are to be successful, it is of capital importance to obtain the support of everybody involved.

For this to happen the views of all the different people and groups who are affected, have to be carefully taken into consideration. Almost everybody is involved, industry, property developers, fishing communities, hoteliers, tourists, local authorities, environmental groups, researchers, transport firms, sports enthusiast and many others.

Educating the people of all age groups and professions, and in particular the young ones, about issues relevant to water protection and safety, must be a continuous process which will secure a successful outcome to all policies and laws aiming at water and environment safety and preservation.



Bibliography:

1. European Commission Environment
2. Environmental Protection Agency 
3. UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change