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Key messages: One or more pesticides were detected above their EU environmental quality standards at 19% to 27% of river water bodies between 2013 and 2023. In groundwater, exceedances of the quality standard for one or more pesticides were detected at between 11% and 18% of monitoring sites. Differences in weather, crop type and reporting mean that changes between years may not be significant.
Percentage of reported monitoring sites with pesticides exceeding thresholds in rivers and groundwater weighted by water body size(rivers in km; groundwater in km2, 2013–2023
Pesticide levels in European surface water and groundwater bodies were assessed against between 2013 and 2023.
At 9% to 25% of all surface water monitoring sites depending on the year, one or more pesticides were detected above the designated effect thresholds. Exceedances were mainly caused by herbicides MCPA, terbuthylazine, metolachlor and the insecticide imidacloprid. These were approved for use as plant protection products for at least part of the monitoring period
Exceedances of one or more pesticides were also detected at 11% to 18% of groundwater monitoring sites during the monitoring period; these were mainly caused by the herbicide atrazine and its metabolites, glyphosate and bentazone .
Atrazine was not approved for use in plant protection products during the monitoring period. Despite restrictions on atrazine since 2007, it continues to be found in groundwater, as it is very persistent. Glyphosate is currently approved until December 2033. Bentazone is currently approved until October 2027.
Please consult the relevant indicators and signals below for a more comprehensive overview on the topic.
Relevant objectives under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
- Restore human health and environment to a good quality status
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Zero Pollution Action Plan 2030 target or policy objectives
- Reduce the use of and risks from chemical pesticides and more hazardous ones by 50%
- Achieve good chemical status for all water bodies in Europe ()
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Other relevant indicators and signals
References and footnotes
- EU, 2000, Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, pp. 1–73).a b c
- EU, 2006, Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration (OJ L 372, 27.12.2006, pp. 19–31).a b