France urged to take water clean-up action

The French government has been told to take urgent water clean-up action, or face the possibility of being taken to court.

Representatives of the European Commission have revealed the organisation is starting to lose patience with France over its apparent neglect of water pollution legislation, EurActiv reports.

The main problem, the Commission stated, is the expansion of green algae around coastal areas of the country.

France has been questioned about the strictness of its laws relating to the spread of manure and nitrogen-rich fertiliser, with many chemicals ending up in waterways.

If the nation does not start to comply, it could be dragged in front of the European Court of Justice.

"We expect France, like any other member state, to meet its obligations under EU environmental law and to adopt effective plans to prevent nitrates pollution," environment commissioner Janez Potocnik told the news provider.

A recent report published in the journal Science of the Total Environment found 38 per cent of the chemicals found in four major European waterways could have a hugely damaging impact on living organisms.

Posted by Claire Manning