Table 33.1 - Summary of freshwater-related environmental problems in different parts of Europe

Source: Modified from WHO/UNEP, 1991

IssueNordicWesternEastern Southern
Pathogenic agents 0­1 0­1 1­2 1­2
Organic matter 0­1 1­2 1­3 2
Salinisation 0 0­1 2 1
Nitrate 0­1 1­3 1­2 1­2
Phosphorus 0­1 1­2 1­3 1­3
Heavy metals 1 0­2 1­3 0­2
Pesticides 0­1 2 2 1­3
Acidification 0­3 0­1 1 0­1
Radioactivity 0­1 1 1­3 1
Water availability 0 1­2 2 2­3
Reservoirs 1 2 2­3 2­3
River channelisation 0 2 1­2 1
Groundwater overexploitation 0­1 2 2 1­3

0 no problems or irrelevant; 1 some problems; 2 major problems; 3 severe problems.

Notes: See Figure 5.3 for definition of country groupings.