Today’s news / Pesticides pollute Danish drinking wells
- We have reached a point where something needs to be done right now, if there is to be clean groundwater and drinking water for the next generations - and for ourselves, says Mads Duedahl, Deputy Chairman of the Danish Regions. Photo: Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix

Pesticides pollute Danish drinking wells

According to a press release from Danish Regions, more than half of Denmark’s drinking water wells are polluted with pesticide residues, and over 10% have concentrations exceeding safety limits. This situation forces waterworks to treat groundwater, resulting in some wells being closed. Groundwater resources in one-fifth of Denmark are overused, aggravated by high water consumption for industry and longer drought periods due to climate change, as reported by Mads Duedahl of Danish Regions. Danish Regions recommend regional management of groundwater protection and a collaborative approach for sustainable utilization with municipalities and water suppliers. Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke sees the regions’ willingness to take more responsibility as positive, and the government intends to introduce laws to protect vulnerable areas around water wells, backed by increased funding in the 2024 budget for water quality.