Nitrate levels in groundwater bodies

An indication on the state of our environment (17)

What is the status of groundwater with respect to nitrates?

In 2009, nitrate levels exceeded the EU limit value of 50mg/l in almost 90 per cent (13 out of 15) of groundwater bodies. The highest nitrate concentration (346mg/l) was recorded at Pwales coastal groundwater body, while the highest value in the perched aquifer was recorded at Żebbuġ at 315.9mg/l.

Nitrate concentrations in the important mean sea level aquifer systems were also high, with mean levels of 73.9mg/l and 49.4mg/l being registered for the Malta and Gozo mean sea level groundwater bodies respectively.

Overall, nitrate concentrations in the main sea level groundwater bodies are relatively stable. Under the Water Framework Directive Malta is bound to achieve good water status (defined by the 50mg/l limit in the case of nitrates) by 2015. The implementation of the 2010 Nitrates Action Programme will be a key measure in this regard.

For more information see The Environment Report Indi-cators 2009 at www.mepa.org.mt/teri2009.

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