Identification of groundwater quality trends in a chalky aquifer threatened by intensive agriculture

Diffuse groundwater contamination related to agricultural practices is a worldwide environmental problem, particularly the continuous increase in nitrate concentrations. As a response to this threat, the European Union has adopted directives requiring that Member States take measures to reduce agricultural nitrate sources and stating that a “good” status of groundwater is required for all EU members. In order to achieve the environmental objectives for groundwater, the identification and reversal of any significant upward trend in the pollutant concentrations are required. Conclusions are drawn about the evolution of groundwater contamination by nitrates in the following decades with respect to the EU Water directive prescriptions. Measures have to be urgently taken in order to avoid major degradation of groundwater in 10 to 70 years. However, a good groundwater quality status cannot be expected for the 2015 EU Water Framework Directive (WFD).