Most bodies of water in the EU are in
\npoor ecological condition, according to the latest study run by the European
\nEnvironmental Agency between 2010 and 2015. 130,000 water bodies were analyzed,
\nleading to the conclusion that deterioration is the rule, rather than the
\nexception, in the EU, where bodies of water have been getting worse at an
\nalarming rate. It was also shown that in East European countries rivers and
\nlakes are cleaner than in West European countries, where population density and
\nagriculture are the worst chemical polluters. The situation is no better at
\nworld level. Experts warn that the planet is headed towards a drinking water
\ncrisis, if urgent measures are not taken. The UN reckons that by 2050 around
\nfive billion people will be exposed to water shortages. A report of the World
\nBank shows that around 70 major rivers around the world have run dry, due to
\nirrigation and excessive consumption.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The countries of
\nthe European Union observe the framework directive aimed at protecting and
\nrestoring aquatic ecosystems. Pollution is still a reality for many rivers,
\ncoastal areas, and underground pockets. Mercury and cadmium are among the main elements
\nresponsible for chemical pollution. Here is Camelia Ionescu, national
\ncoordinator for the Romanian branch of the World Wildlife Fund: <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Only 40% of European bodies of water are in a good or very good state.
\nThe evaluation criteria for rivers are a part of existing legislation, the
\nframework directive relevant to water, and additional legislation associated
\nwith the directive. The study took into account physical and chemical criteria,
\nthe way in which rivers are stifled by human activity, of concrete
\ninterventions such as dam building and diverting, etc. All these criteria were
\nexamined by each country when evaluating their rivers. One conclusion was that
\nmany things were not taken into account when the directive was applied starting
\nthe early 2000s. The directive draws clear targets for the well-being of bodies
\nof water, but it was not observed. Many countries relied on postponing the
\ndeadline for reaching these objectives, and took advantage of many exceptions
\nto the rules. These countries lacked ambition, and also lacked vision in terms
\nof investing in various measures, in order to have the rivers get better. It is
\ntrue, at the same time, that exceptions are available until 2027, but by that
\ntime we were supposed to have better rivers in Europe, ecologically speaking.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The report by the European
\nEnvironmental Agency shows that bodies of water in Romania are largely clean,
\nwith major investments being made in this sector of late. 287 towns and
\nvillages received funds for restoring and expanding infrastructure for water
\nsupply and treatment. 2.7 billion Euro have been allocated to this sector for
\nthe 2014-2020 period, with 4 new projects being approved, one major investment
\nproject being allocated 200 million Euro in European funds, aimed at the
\ncapital Bucharest. Here is Camelia Ionescu: <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Romania has a higher quality of water than the European average.
\nBasically, we still have rivers that are in a good state, but we also have a
\nlot of threats in terms of pollution sources, farming, for instance. I believe
\nthat the entire territory has been declared an area sensitive to nitrites from
\nfarming sources, with underground sources being contaminated with these
\nsubstances. There are many cases where tapping into wells for drinking water is
\nimpossible. The farming system has to be reorganized to protect water sources.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The European water directive is
\nright now in a so-called fitness check. This is a procedure to analyze the
\nrelevance, effectiveness and coherence, as well as the added value of the
\ndirective at EU level, a process that also includes a public consultation
\nlaunched in September 2018. Around 100 NGOs are taking part in the protection
\nand consolidation of this directive, launching a campaign calling on the European
\nCommission to defend the framework directive in its present state, even if
\nmember states want the provisions relaxed. Here is Camelia Ionescu: <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
In this process of evaluation there is a component by means of which
\nall citizens can express their position and ideas, and can express their
\nopinions on the way water is managed. This is the moment when citizens can talk
\nto the European Commission, as well as national and European authorities, about
\nthe way in which they see the implementation of directives and the protection
\nof rivers. What we know is that this directive has been giving headaches to a
\nlot of users and certain authorities in various countries. The intention is to
\nadjust and modify the directive. Our fear is that these changes would lead to
\nreduced targets, and a relaxation in terms of water management.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Public consultations are scheduled
\nto be held until March 4, 2019. <\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
(Translated by C. Cotoiu)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Efforts are being made at national level to implement a European Directive in the field of water protection<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":153156,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44315],"tags":[44393,44391,44392,44394],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-153155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-green-planet","tag-bodies-of-water","tag-campaign-to-protect-waters","tag-european-union-directive","tag-water-pollution"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n