Clean fresh water is essential for life. According to our Ministry of the Environment there is enough of it in Estonia due to climatic conditions and the small population. Fresh water is found both in groundwater and bodies of surface water. Groundwater is our main source of drinking water. The general status of groundwater bodies in Estonia may be considered good, except for Ida-Viru County. The water quality of Estonian rivers and lakes is satisfactory. In the 1970s and 1980s, Estonian lakes were heavily influenced by fertilizers and sewage, which caused quick eutrophication. Since 1992, the pollution load of surface water has decreased significantly in Estonia, due to building new water treatment plants, renovating old ones, and decrease in agricultural production.
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