Recent studies show that groundwater nitrate pollution remains a major concern across Spain. A coalition of citizen groups and regional organizations, including a number of Greenpeace affiliates, contributed to a national effort to measure nitrate levels in 2022. The results reveal that a substantial share of tested water sources show nitrates above safe limits, signaling a clear risk to drinking and ecological health.
During the year 2022, measurements collected across tap water, surface water, and groundwater totaled 858. The findings indicate that more than one third of all measurements exceed legal nitrate limits, while about one in five tests approach those limits, highlighting ongoing exposure risks for communities relying on these water sources.
Greenpeace has emphasized that the most urgent groundwater issue is not just current contamination but the potential for persistent reserve problems in the future. They point out that a majority of groundwater tests show nitrate presence, with surface waters and drinking water also affected to notable degrees. These patterns vary by region, reflecting differing local conditions and management practices.
Among autonomous communities, Galicia stands out for its high share of measurements above the legal nitrate threshold in groundwater, followed by Aragon and Castilla y Leon with particularly notable percentages. This regional variation underscores the need for localized strategies to reduce nitrate inputs and protect water quality across the country.
Spain before the EU Court of Justice
The environmental groups say the nitrate situation is so serious that the European Commission referred Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union at the end of 2021 for non-compliance with the Nitrate Directive. They note that the Commission has kept Greenpeace informed that the case remains active and unresolved at present.
Galicia is frequently identified as the region with the highest pollution index in groundwater, followed by other areas facing elevated nitrate levels. The situation has prompted calls for stronger enforcement and faster action to curb contamination and safeguard water resources for future generations.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition has been highlighted by advocates as taking meaningful steps to curb nitrate pollution from agricultural sources. Critics argue that more concerted action is required across agricultural policies, with emphasis on reducing high-density livestock farming and implementing effective nutrient management plans. Activists urge immediate measures to limit dense livestock operations and to establish a clear timeline for reducing nitrate runoff while protecting water access for communities across the country.
There is a strong demand for urgent progress to address water scarcity and quality in Spain. Stakeholders advocate a comprehensive plan that aligns agricultural practices with environmental safeguards, supported by regional governments and consistent national oversight. The conversation continues as authorities and civil society work toward practical, enforceable reforms that protect water to support public health and ecosystem integrity across the nation.