Simple download service (Atom) of the dataset: Zone Vulnerable to Pollution by Nitrates of Agricultural Origin — 2012 — Aveyron

Surface objects of areas designated as vulnerable to diffuse pollution by nitrates of agricultural origin, taking into account in particular land and water characteristics and all available data on nitrate content in waters and their feeding zone. These areas concern: — water affected by pollution: groundwater and surface fresh waters, in particular those used for the abstraction of water intended for human consumption, with nitrate content exceeding 50 milligrams per litre; estuary, coastal and marine waters, surface fresh waters which have undergone eutrophication which can be effectively combated by reducing nitrogen inputs; — waters threatened by pollution: groundwater and surface fresh water, in particular those used for the abstraction of water intended for human consumption, with a nitrate content of between 40 and 50 milligrams per litre and shows an upward trend; estuary, coastal and marine waters, surface fresh waters, the main characteristics of which show a tendency towards eutrophication that can be effectively combated by reducing nitrogen inputs. Areas vulnerable to nitrates arise from the application of the Nitrates Directive, which concerns the prevention and reduction of nitrates of agricultural origin. The 1991 Directive obliges each Member State to define ‘vulnerable areas’ where the waters are polluted or likely to be polluted by nitrates of agricultural origin. They are defined on the basis of the results of campaigns to monitor nitrate content in surface and groundwater fresh waters.