The water problem

• 20% of all surface water in the European Union is seriously threatened by pollution.
• Groundwater supplies about 65% of all Europe's drinking water.
• 60% of European cities are over their water resources.
• 50% of land with groundwater is in a “state of emergency” due to excessive exploitation.
• The area of irrigated land in southern Europe has increased by 20% since 1985.

The Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parlament) and the Council of 23 October 2000 widening the scope of water protection to all waters and makes it clear that the objective of “good status” must be achieved for all water resources by 2015 and throughout Europe face the sustainable use of these resources.
(Data extracted from the official publication of the European Commission Water Framework Directive: Tap into it!)