Map of nitrate levels in ground and surface water

A MAP is available online that highlights the areas of France deemed zones vulnérables to the presence of nitrates within ground and surface water.

Nitrate levels are related to the agricultural practices in an area, and in France around 55% of farmland is considered vulnerable to increased pollution.

The EU's Nitrate Directive of 1991 provides a framework to identify polluted water and to put measures in place to help farmers improve practices and reduce pollution levels.

EU member states have to provide reports on nitrate concentrations every four years, and the French map covers observations made in 2010-11, with the updates made last year.

The areas of France susceptible to high nitrate levels are the river basins of Adour Garonne, Loire Bretagne, Rhône Méditerranée and Seine Normandie.

The updated map has seen the addition of more than 1,400 communes, with 18,400 communes considered at risk from nitrate pollution, however, 617 communes have improved and been taken off the map.

Related: Natural risks in France