What do we see?
The average concentration of nitrate in surface water from agricultural areas in the Flemish region was 17.6 milligrams per litre during the winter season of 2021-2022. This number shows a decrease compared to the two previous winter seasons.
The threshold of 50 mg nitrate per litre was exceeded at least once at 22% of the measurement sites. This marks an improvement compared to the three previous winter seasons.
What’s the aim?
In a circular model, we aim to avoid leakage flows as much as possible: this limits the demand for new inputs and prevents damage to the environment. Excess amounts of nitrate in soil lead to eutrophication of water. The result is not only a disruption of the ecosystem but also a negative impact on our drinking water. The amounts are linked to the way we produce our food, think for instance about cultivation choices and fertilisation. However, weather is also a strong determinant: during prolonged droughts, the presence of nitrate in the soil increases as crops absorb less nitrogen.
