Briefing

Europe’s groundwater — a key resource under pressure

Briefing Published 22 Mar 2022 Last modified 19 Jul 2023

10 min read

Photo: © Nenad Buzjak, WaterPIX /EEA, Krka National Park, Croatia

‘Groundwater: making the invisible visible’ is the World Water Day theme for 22 March 2022. In recognition of this, this briefing provides an overview of the state of groundwater in the EU. Groundwater stores almost one third of total global freshwater resources and, in the EU, supplies 65% of drinking water and 25% of water for agricultural irrigation. Groundwater pollution is a serious threat to this resource. Recovery from pollution is not easy, as removing pollutants is difficult, meaning that they can accumulate. Groundwater resources are also under increasing pressure from water abstraction and climate change.

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Disclaimer

The country assessments are the sole responsibility of the EEA member and cooperating countries supported by the EEA through guidance, translation and editing.

For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/europes-groundwater/europes-groundwater or scan the QR code.

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