Publications

European bathing water quality in 2011

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:00:00 +0200

Europeans care about water quality and knowing that they have clean and safe water to swim or play in is an important factor in their choice of a holiday or weekend destination. For the tourism industry, clean and safe water is also a major factor in attracting visitors to an area. To allow Europeans to make an informed choice, the European Environment Agency and the European Commission publish an annual report on the quality of more than 22 000 bathing sites. In 2012 the report includes sites in all 27 EU Member States and three other countries. This report can help all water users find high quality bathing water across the region.

Towards efficient use of water resources in Europe

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0100

This report makes the case for an integrated water management, starting with better implementation of existing legislation. Clean water is a vitally important natural resource, demanding careful management. It is essential for life and integral to virtually all economic activities, including producing food, energy and industrial outputs. The availability of clean water in sufficient quantities is not only a prerequisite for human health and well-being but also essential for freshwater ecosystems and the many services that they provide.

Europe's environment — An Assessment of Assessments

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0200

In support of the 2011 'Environment for Europe' Ministerial Conference in Astana, EEA has prepared Europe's environment — An Assessment of Assessments (EE-AoA). This report provides a comprehensive overview of available sources of environmental information across the region which directly relate to the themes in focus at the Conference, water and related ecosystems, and green economy.

Hazardous substances in Europe's fresh and marine waters — An overview

Adobe InDesign CS5 (7.0) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:18:57 +0200

Chemicals are an essential part of our daily lives and are used to produce consumer goods, to protect or restore our health and to boost food production, to name but a few examples. Some chemicals, however, are hazardous, raising concerns for the environment and human health. Hazardous substances are emitted to fresh and marine waters via a number of pathways and can have detrimental effects on aquatic biota. Humans can be exposed to hazardous substances in water through the ingestion of contaminated drinking water and the consumption of contaminated freshwater fish and seafood. A wide range of legislation now exists in Europe to address the release of hazardous substances to the environment, including water. New challenges exist, however, including the issues of chemical mixtures and emerging pollutants.

Safe water and healthy water services in a changing environment

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:58:18 +0200

This report summarises existing knowledge of climate change impacts on water services and health; the nature and effectiveness of the policy response; and the coverage and gaps in existing assessments of these themes.

Quality of bathing water — 2010 bathing season

EEA/Peter Kristensen — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:00:00 +0200

Annual summary report of bathing water quality in EU Member States. Detailed data are available via EEA WISE bathing water site.

Freshwater quality — SOER 2010 thematic assessment

Adobe InDesign CS4 (6.0) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:40:00 +0100

The continuing presence of a range of pollutants in a number of Europe's freshwaters threatens aquatic ecosystems and raises concerns for public health. Current reporting under the EU Water Framework Directive shows that a substantial proportion of Europe's freshwaters are at risk of not achieving the aim of 'good status' by 2015. Driven by the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), improvements in the collection and treatment of wastewater in some regions of Europe have led to a reduction in the discharge of some pollutants to fresh and coastal waters. Challenges remain, however, because UWWTD implementation remains incomplete and other significant sources of water pollution exist, especially agriculture and urban storm flows. The implementation of effective and timely measures, required under the WFD, needs to encompass a greater focus on controls 'at source' and the efficient use of resources including water, energy and chemicals.

Water resources: quantity and flows - SOER 2010 thematic assessment

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:40:00 +0100

Europe's freshwaters are affected by water scarcity, droughts, floods and physical modifications. Many water bodies are at risk of failing to meet the aim of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) to achieve good status by 2015. Future policies should encourage demand management through actions such as increasing water efficiency. In addition, water management will benefit from applying an ecosystems perspective, using floodplains and groundwater aquifers for storing water, and making room (space) for rivers.

10 messages for 2010 - Coastal ecosystems

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:40:54 +0200

Key messages: 1) As an interface between land and sea, European coastlines provide vital resources for wildlife, but also for the economy and human health and well-being. 2) Multiple pressures, including habitat loss and degradation, pollution, climate change and overexploitation of fish stocks, affect coastal ecosystems. 3) Coastal habitat types and species of Community interest are at risk in Europe; two thirds of coastal habitat types and more than half of coastal species have an unfavourable conservation status. 4) Integrated and ecosystem-based approaches provide the foundation for sustainable coastal management and development, supporting socio-economic development, biodiversity and ecosystem services. Coordinated action at the global, regional and local levels will be key to sustainable management of coastal ecosystems.

Quality of bathing water — 2009 bathing season

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0200

Annual summary report of bathing water quality in EU Member States.

EEA Signals 2010 - Biodiversity, climate change and you

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Signals takes us on a journey, following the course of water from the glaciers of the Alps to the permafrost of the Arctic and the delta of the Ganges. We travel to familiar and far-flung places, looking at how we can rebuild our relationships with the crucial elements of everyday life— water, soil, air — and the animals and plants that make up the tapestry of life on Earth.

10 messages for 2010 — freshwater ecosystems

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:00:00 +0100

Freshwater ecosystems in Europe are rich in biodiversity but at risk. They provide essential ecosystem services to humans, such as cleaning water, preventing floods, producing food, providing energy and regulating freshwater resources...

10 messages for 2010 — marine ecosystems

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Marine ecosystems provide key services both globally and locally, which are essential for maintaining life on our planet. However, marine biodiversity faces an unprecedented range of pressures. In recent years climate change has caused changes in species distribution and presents new challenges for marine biodiversity as oceans become more acidic.

Regional climate change and adaptation — The Alps facing the challenge of changing water resources

EEA — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:50:00 +0200

Drawing on the most recent knowledge of climate change impacts in the Alps and experiences across the region, this report analyses the risks that climate change presents to the region's water supply and quality, identifying needs, constraints, opportunities, policy levers and options for adaptation. It extracts policy guidance on adaptation practice and aims to assist regional and local stakeholders in developing robust adaptation strategies. The focus of the report is on water resources and related adaptation, rather than water-related extreme events like floods, avalanches, landslides or mudflows, which are already well covered by existing studies of climate change impacts in the Alps.

Quality of bathing water — 2008 bathing season

EEA (European Environment Agency) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0200