WRITTEN QUESTION E-0709/02 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Water pollution in Greece.
Date: 2002-03-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC Directive, Macedonia, chemical salt, groundwater, infringement procedure (EU), national implementing measure, pollution from agricultural sources

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/79

(2002/C 277 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0709/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 March 2002)

Subject: Water pollution in Greece

Research by the Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki regarding drinking water in 54 villages in the
prefecture of Thessaloniki revealed high levels of pollutants including nitrate ions which are responsible for
infant cyanosis. In reply to my previous question (E-0183/00 (1)), the Commission indicated that it was
aware of the pollution problems affecting ground water in not only the above area but also the areas of
Thessaly, Ilia and Messinia.

1.

Does the Commission have any further information regarding ground water pollution in Greece?

2.

Is it satisfied with the way in which Directive 91/676/EEC (2) has been implemented in Greece?

(1) OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001, p. 4.
(2) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 2002)

In their year 2000 report on the implementation of Directive 91/676/EEC, the Greek authorities
1.
notified the Commission of the results of nitrate concentration monitoring. As the Directive requires, the
data given concern only the designated vulnerable zones and not all of Greece’s main bodies of water, so
the data on nitrate pollution of this Member State’s groundwater are not up to date.

The seven designated vulnerable zones represent about 70 % of the potential areas evaluated by the
Commission, according to the information available on nitrate concentration in the groundwater in
intensive farming areas. Four of these seven designated vulnerable zones now have their own action
programmes.

2.
Greece has very belatedly adopted national measures transposing Council Directive 91/676/EEC of
12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from
agricultural sources (1). Due to the substantial delay in transposing this Directive, the Greek authorities
have failed to keep to the time limits imposed by it.

In the light of Greece’s failure to fulfil its obligations under Directive 91/676/EEC, the Commission began
infringement proceedings under Article 226 of the EC Treaty.

In the different stages of the pre-litigation procedure, the Greek authorities have sent the Commission
information on surveillance measures taken, a new code of good farming practice, a decision designating
four vulnerable zones, and action programmes for these four zones (the Kopaida, Argolida, Thessalia et
the plains of
Ileia zones). Furthermore,
Thessaloniki, Strymonas and Arta-Preveza. On 20 December 2001 the Commission therefore decided to
put this infringement on file.

in 2001 they designated another three vulnerable zones:

The Commission will continue to keep an eye on Greece’s proper application of Directive 91/676/EEC and
will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure compliance with the obligations arising out of it.

(1) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991.