1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Israel and the crisis in the Middle EastGerman coalition collapseUS election
Nature and Environment

ECJ: Germany failed to curb nitrate levels in groundwater

June 21, 2018

The EU's top court has found Germany guilty of failing to combat high levels of nitrate in groundwater. The ruling means that the European Commission has the option to propose fines against Germany.

https://p.dw.com/p/3005G
Fertilizer
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P.Pleul

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Thursday that the German government had not taken sufficient action to curb high nitrate levels in groundwater in accordance with EU-wide directives.

Nitrate pollution is caused by the overuse of fertilizers in agriculture. When too much is used, its residue can seep into groundwater and water systems.

Read more: Almost all German lakes and rivers face ecological crisis

High levels of nitrate and its component nitrogen in drinking water can be dangerous to the health. Nitrates can also damage rivers, streams, lakes and oceans by creating algae blooms and low oxygen levels in water, which threatens some aquatic species.

The European Commission sued Germany in 2016 over what it viewed as Berlin's yearslong foot-dragging in taking strong enough measures against nitrate pollution. In 2014, the Commission had cautioned Germany over the issue. 

A 2016 German government report found that 28 percent of groundwater measuring stations registered nitrate levels above the EU-mandated threshold of 50 milligrams per liter.

Germany, Malta worst offenders

That means Germany has the second-highest levels of nitrate in groundwater in the 28-member EU. Only the densely populated island nation of Malta has higher nitrate levels in groundwater.

A series of German government restrictions on the use of nitrates in agriculture was implemented in 2017.

These included nitrogen upper limits, longer wait times between fertilizing and a requirement for the application of fertilizers to be at greater distances to waters.

Read more: Germany's upper chamber backs tighter water quality measure 

The German government argued in court that it had addressed the European Commission's concerns with new regulations, but the ECJ did not accept this argument and based its judgement on the previous 2012 fertilizer regulations.

As a result of the court ruling, the European Commission may fine Germany if the situation doesn't improve.

cw/kms (AFP, dpa, Reuters)

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

A hand opens a sink tap to fill a glass with water

German tap water prices climb with nitrates as culprit

German tap water prices climb with nitrates as culprit

German consumers are having to pay more on average for drinking water, an evaulation from the Green party has found. The cause is traced to agribusiness nitrates that must not find their way into potable water. (11.05.2018)
Nature and EnvironmentMay 11, 2018
external

Beautiful flowers, toxic lake

Beautiful flowers, toxic lake

The area around Kenya's Lake Naivasha is known colloquially as the flower bed of Africa. The cut flowers industry generates 5% of Kenya's GDP – and causes extensive pollution. Fertilizers and pesticides from its fields drain directly into the lake’s waters. However, now the flower companies have come under strict regulation. And things change to the better at Lake Naivasha. (01.02.2018)
Nature and EnvironmentFebruary 1, 201801:27 min
A beach near the municipality of Hillion in Brittany that has been closed off to visitors as it’s covered with green algae

Brittany's algae invasion pits farmers against beach lovers

Brittany's algae invasion pits farmers against beach lovers

A plague of algae is washing up on beaches in Brittany. Experts say only a drastic cut in nitrate fertilizer use will get rid of it, but farmers are reluctant to ditch the chemicals. (22.08.2017)
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 22, 2017