Czech water authorities blame increased biofuel production for higher pollution levels

In the Czech Republic, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMU) has called out increasing demand for biofuels and the resulting increase in corn and rapeseed production as the cause of growing pollution levels in waterbodies across the country. In its annual report looking at 249 pollutants in 675 wells and springs, the institute questions the environmental sustainability of biofuels if the result is an increase in pesticide pollution. Limits were exceeded by some substances in nearly 87% of the water sites tested.