Greece: High concentrations of nitrates taint much of Greek groundwater

Even without heavy industry, Greeks have managed to pollute both the country's surface water and groundwater, reported a joint study by the National Technical University of Athens, the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration, and the Center for Planning and Economic Research (KEPE). In Attika Prefecture, high concentrations of nitrates due to intensive farming have been measured in the groundwater of a dozen communities. Farm runoff has also polluted groundwater in the Peloponnesos region in the south, the Thessaly region in the north, and the prefectures of Larissa and Karditsa. Parts of the Soulios, Pamisos, Alfeios, Strymonas, Evros, and Pinios rivers are contaminated and 70% of Greek lakes suffer from eutrophication. Other major contributors to the country's water shortage include wasteful irrigation practices; the salinization of groundwater due to the over-pumping of aquifers, which allows seawater to seep into empty spaces; and the under-utilization of surface water resources.