Diffuse pollution is one of the key reasons European water bodies are failing to meet objectives relative to good ecological status as specified in the Water Framework Directive (WFD). As of 2015, only 40 percent of EU surface waters were in good ecological status, and 38 percent were in good chemical status. This is significant considering that around 75 percent of all water abstracted annually, and 40 percent of all drinking water consumed in Europe, comes from surface waters, such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. 

Each year, outbreaks of toxic green algae affect rivers, lakes and coastal waters and create so-called “dead zones” where no aquatic life can thrive.  Nutrient and soil loss have been recognised as challenges for decades across Europe and have been a key driver of freshwater biodiversity loss.