Groundwater performs better: around 80% is in good quantitative status

The ISPRA Report “The State of Waters in Italy – Towards the 4th Management Cycle” has been published, providing a snapshot of the condition of national water bodies in relation to achieving environmental quality objectives.

In Italy, out of more than 7,700 surface water bodies (rivers, lakes, marine-coastal waters, and transitional waters), 43.6% are in good or better ecological status/potential, while just over 75% are in good chemical status. As for groundwater, out of a total of 1,007 water bodies, nearly 80% are in good quantitative status, while 70% are in good chemical status. Surface and groundwater bodies with unknown status have decreased significantly compared to the 2nd management cycle of the Water Framework Directive. By 2027, improvements are expected in achieving the environmental quality objectives set by the Directive for both surface and groundwater bodies.

These are just some of the data contained in the ISPRA Report on the state of waters in Italy – towards the 4th management cycle, prepared on the basis of information reported in the Water Management Plans – 3rd management cycle of the Water Framework Directive. By providing a concise yet comprehensive introduction to the principles and functioning of the Directive, the ISPRA Report also offers the necessary interpretative framework for understanding the statistics presented in the report itself. In addition to a detailed overview of the condition of water bodies, the pressures affecting them, and the measures needed to improve their status, the report provides the essential information base for informed and conscious reflection.