Organic Pollution

Organic pollution has been on the rise in the Danube over the last century, as human activities have resulted in increasing loads of wastewater rich in organic matter. The most serious organic pollution problems occur in tributaries that regularly receive untreated or inadequately treated wastewater from industrial plants and municipalities.

Organic pollution has been increasing in parts of the Danube Basin up till the end of the last century, as industrial production and household consumption have resulted in increasing loads of wastewater rich in organic matter. Other organic matter of natural origin includes natural soil erosion with a high organic content and the decomposition of dead plants and animals.

In terms of organic pollution, water quality in the Danube ranges between Class II (moderate pollution) and Class II-III (moderate to critical pollution) of the interim ICPDR classification. The most serious organic pollution problems occur in tributaries that regularly receive untreated or inadequately treated wastewater from industrial plants and municipalities, such as on the Arges river.

Downloads

• Danube River Basin Pollution Reduction Programme Report (5.97 MB)
  June 1999