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Environmental information systems
%
of groundwater area
is in good
chemical status
The Water Framework Directive requires assessment of the chemical status of groundwaters. Assessment is based on threshold values. EU-wide thresholds are set for nitrates and pesticides. Countries need to consider other pollutants and set thresholds for those, if they could impact the quality of surface waters such as wetlands or rivers. If concentrations exceed the threshold in a groundwater body, the water body fails to meet good chemical status.
- Groundwater chemical status in the WFD refers to the quality of underground water in terms of its chemical composition.
- The Water Framework Directive requires that all water bodies be in good status by 2015, or at the latest by 2027.
- Good status represents the water body condition being as it would be with little or no human impact.
Furthermore, the assessment of groundwaters also includes quantitative status.
Chemical status of groundwater bodies in the 3rd River Basin Management Plan
This chart shows the proportion of groundwaters in good, failing to achieve good, and unknown chemical status for the EU-27 or selected country.
In Europe (EU-27), around % of groundwater bodies currently reported (2022) are in good chemical status. Nitrates and pesticides are the pollutants causing most failures.
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Groundwater bodies achieving or failing to achieve a good chemical status
This map shows the chemical status across Europe at River Basin District level. Dark blue shows all groundwaters meet good chemical status, while dark red shows they all fail to meet it. Lighter shades show the percentage of groundwater bodies achieving or failing to achieve good chemical status.
A map showing chemical l status in 1st, 2nd or 3rd River Basin Management Plans can be selected through the drop down menu at the top left.
Chemical status development between River Basin Management Plans, EU27
These charts show the development of chemical status over the three RBMP cycles. The proportion of groundwaters in each status has been fairly stable over all 3 RBMPs. This may reflect the slow rate of change in groundwater, which can take decades.
Hover over the bars to see the area of groundwater bodies in each status.
1st River Basin Management Plan
Total areas of reported groundwater bodies:
4,336,081 Km2
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2nd River Basin Management Plan
Total areas of reported groundwater bodies:
4,376,579 Km2
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3rd River Basin Management Plan
Total areas of reported groundwater bodies:
Km2 (see the Note)
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Caution is advised when comparing between RBMP cycles, as the results may be affected by the evolution and differences in methods that Member States have used to collect and report information.
