Spain’s groundwater is under threat. In a recent assessment, nitrates were found in 28.6% of sampled groundwater across the country. Greenpeace explains the culprit as industrial farming and animal husbandry, noting that when other pollution sources are considered, the share of affected waters is even larger.
The environmental group published a preview of its Spain-focused study, conducted with the help of citizens who received 10,000 free nitrate test kits as part of the Stop Industrial Livestock Week 3 Challenge, according to a formal release.
So far, the results reflect 5,000 tests. The data show that 7% of the drinking water samples contain nitrates. Greenpeace cautions that while this percentage might sound modest, it translates to people unknowingly drinking contaminated water.
Additionally, 11% of analyzed surface waters such as rivers, streams, lakes or coastal lagoons also show pollution signals.
The photo caption notes a large rural operation in Navarra alongside Greenpeace as the source of the information.
The highest concentration of measurements occurred in Catalonia, with Madrid and Castilla y León close behind.
Most polluted areas
Regionally, the Balearic Islands, Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León reported the highest rates of contamination. In each area, a significant portion of tests returned negative results—43% in the Balearics, 22% in Castilla-La Mancha, and 20% in Castilla y León.
Greenpeace highlights that industrial animal farming drives this problem. In 2022, Spain slaughtered almost 900 million animals, including 56.3 million pigs, which Greenpeace cites as the largest single driver of nitrate pollution. Agriculture is increasingly geared toward feeding these large herds, sometimes at the expense of water quality.
The government response
Authorities acknowledge the issue and are taking action. European Commission pressure has reinforced efforts, and Spain has enacted new measures. In 2022, Royal Decree 47/2022 aimed at protecting water from nitrate pollution was adopted, followed by RD 665/2023 which identifies activities with the potential to pollute soil and thereby water.
The Ebro River basin authority introduced a nitrates strategy at the start of 2023 that restricts permits for new intensive animal operations or expansions where nitrate concentrations are high. Officials say these steps are important but still fall short of a full solution, calling for broader, coordinated action from all competent authorities to address the nitrate challenge across the country.
For readers seeking further details, the environmental department provides additional materials upon request.