Agricultural pollution (with nitrates and pesticides) is one of the biggest threats to drinking water resources. At many places regional and local water authorities, together with the water supply industry, are involved in preventive action aimed at farming practices. Three national case studies (Germany, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom) analyse these efforts within the context of problematical national agricultural policy and the need to implement EU directives on water quality. Additional case studies cover the role of the European Union, while the same problem in a different setting is analysed for the United States. The central question of how national and European governments can reinforce the control capacity of the actors at the regional and local level, is treated from the theoretical perspective of the policy network approach.

Inhalt
One.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Theoretical Framework.- Two.- 3. Policy Framework European Union.- 4. Control Capacity - European Union.- 5. Policy Framework - Germany.- 6. Control Capacity - Germany.- 7. Policy Framework the Netherlands.- 8. Control Capacity the Netherlands.- 9. Policy Framework England and Wales.- 10. Control Capacity - England and Wales.- Three.- 11. Comparative Analysis.- 12. Policy Framework - United States.- 13. Control Capacity United States.- 14. to Reinforce Control Capacity?.