Heavy metals in groundwater

The presence of heavy metals in Flemish groundwater was investigated for arsenic, nickel, zinc, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, copper and cobalts. The results of the analysis come from the wells of the freatic groundwater monitoring network and the primary groundwater measuring network. They are tested against groundwater quality standards (Decision of the Flemish Government of 21 May 2010). Furthermore, the data is linked to the background levels, which are recorded through the same decision. A background level is the concentration of a substance or the value of an indicator in a groundwater body corresponding to non-existent or very small anthropogenic changes in the pristine state.