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Getting Europe's precious waters clean again: Protecting water from pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges that we face. In recent decades, major disasters like the Sandoz incident in 1986 demonstrated that pollution knows no frontiers and that strong EU actions and cooperation were needed. This detailed news report looks at the ways in which Europe’s determination to protect water in all its forms is achieving results. From the European quality of the drinking water, through the treatment of waste water, to protection of its rivers, coasts and lakes – over the last few decades it has developed an effective legislative arsenal. The aim of the European Union is for all the water on its territory to by in good status by 2015. Although challenges remain, results are obvious. For example, in 2000, the EU adopted a directive promoting trans-boundary co-operation and introducing the river basin management concept where the territory of the river as a whole is taken into account. And in terms of bathing water, since 1990, the number of bathing sites fulfilling the EU standards has increased by almost 30% to an impressive 90%.
Located in Environmental topics › Water › Multimedia
Changes in wastewater treatment in northern countries of Europe between 1980s and 2005: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Environment, health and quality of life — SOER synthesis chapter 5: Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Synthesis › The European environment – state and outlook 2010: Synthesis
Freshwater - National Responses (Germany): Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Germany
National and regional story (Germany) - The way toward unifying environmental protection: SOER National and regional story from Germany
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Germany
Freshwater - Drivers and pressures (Poland): SOER Common environmental theme from Poland
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Poland
Freshwater - National Responses (Poland): SOER Common environmental theme from Poland
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Poland
Changes in wastewater treatment in Central European countries between 1980s and 2009: This figure illustrates the percentage population in Central European countries connected to a waste water collection and treatment systems (UWWTPs) over the period 1980 to 2009. In addition, a breakdown by treatment type is portrayed.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Changes in wastewater treatment in Eastern European countries between 1980s and 2009: This figure illustrates the percentage population in Eastern European countries connected to a waste water collection and treatment systems (UWWTPs) over the period 1980 to 2009. In addition, a breakdown by treatment type is portrayed.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Water quality and wastewater treatment — WISE interactive maps updated: A series of maps on water quality, updated with the latest information reported by countries, has been published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The maps display water quality parameters in various receiving waters across Europe, alongside information on urban wastewater treatment and receiving areas sensitive to eutrophication.
Located in News