A Commission Staff Working Document published on 23 July 2026 evaluates Italy's implementation of the Nitrates Directive for the 2020-2023 period, finding persistent nitrate pollution in groundwater and surface waters despite a 16% expansion of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) to cover 31% of utilised agricultural area. The report highlights that 11.7% of groundwater monitoring points exceed the 50 mg/l nitrate limit, and 37.7% of surface water points are eutrophic or at risk, with eutrophication increasing in rivers from 33.6% to 40.2% and remaining high in lakes at 54.5%. The Commission warns that ongoing infringement procedures, including a reasoned opinion sent in 2023, could lead to legal consequences if Italy fails to address shortcomings in monitoring, NVZ coverage, and water quality improvements.
The document, based on Italy's national report, Eurostat data, and other official sources, notes that while groundwater nitrate levels decreased in 38.8% of points, they increased in 26.8%, particularly in already polluted areas. Pollution hotspots exist outside designated NVZs, with 13.6% of groundwater, 16.7% of surface water, and 46.5% of eutrophic points located outside these zones, indicating gaps in designation. The national action programme remained unchanged, but several regions modified their programmes with measures on fertiliser application, storage, and crop cover. The monitoring network saw a 15% decrease in surface water density, while groundwater density stood at 14.7 stations per 1000 km².
The Commission recommends reinforcing measures to address nitrate hotspots, updating NVZ designations, improving monitoring networks, aligning with the Water Framework Directive, and promoting best practices. The report's findings have significant implications for Italian farmers, who face potential stricter regulations and costs from expanded NVZs and action programme adjustments. National and regional authorities are under pressure to improve compliance to avoid legal action from the EU. Environmental groups may view the report as evidence of insufficient progress, while the agricultural sector may raise concerns about administrative burden and competitiveness. The infringement procedure, launched in 2018, remains a key risk for Italy if it does not demonstrate measurable improvements in water quality and monitoring.