Brussels Finds Fault with German Air and Water

The European Commission Thursday reprimanded Germany for the quality of its air and water and urged it to implement EU guidelines. Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said Germany in particular had to catch up as far as fighting toxics in overcrowded areas goes. "It especially poses a danger to children, who react much more sensitively to air pollution," Wallström said. Germany, along with eight other EU member states, failed to meet a December 2003 deadline to submit plans to Brussels for tackling pollutants in the atmosphere and in water. The commission has also criticized Berlin for failing to implement a national law that includes a new, integrated concept for water economy and that would ensure better water quality by 2015. "Through the non-implementation of this important guideline, the nine member states are denying their citizens a better water quality in lakes, rivers and coastal reservoirs," the EU Commission said.