Ground water is the major source of drinking water supply in the Community, accounting for 75% of the total and for 88% in Italy and as much as 98% in Denmark. Even if the EC-Directive for drinking water is adhered to, the nitrate content in the ground water in shallow wells in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Germany will only reach an acceptable level in 25 to 50 years time.
Même s'ils adhèrent à la directive de la Communauté européenne sur l'eau potable, aux Pays-Bas, en Belgique, au Danemark et en Allemagne, la teneur en nitrates des eaux souterraines des nappes phréatiques superficielles n'atteindra un niveau acceptable que dans 25 ou 50 ans.