Are European bathing waters safe?

At the end of May 2024. The European Environment Agency (EEA), together with the European Commission (EC), in the context of the Pollution Eradication Action Plan, has published information on water safety in European bathing waters, based on an analysis of data reported by European Union (EU) member states for the 2020-2023 bathing seasons.

Ahead of the time for summer travel in EU countries and bathing in the waters of officially designated bathing areas, the European Commission reports and reassures that in 2023 the vast majority of them – 22,000, or 85.4 percent of the total – met the most stringent EU quality standards. As much as 96 percent of EU bathing waters in 2023 met the minimum quality standards required for compliance with the Bathing Water Quality Directive. In 321 EU bathing sites, which accounted for 1.5 percent of all bathing sites, the water was of poor quality.

Regulations on bathing water quality determine whether it can be classified as excellent, good, sufficient or poor, depending on the level of fecal bacteria. If bathing water is classified as bad, EU member states should take the following steps: issue a ban or advise against bathing, inform the public of the circumstances and take corrective action.

Holiday weather and travel in EU countries encourage swimming

Every year during the summer heat season we try to spend our free time at the beach, cooling off in the water or refreshed by the sea breeze. A large variety of beautiful beaches and bathing beaches characterize the countries of Europe.

According to research results, bathing water quality across Europe has improved significantly over the past few decades and is now very good in most countries. Although there are fewer and fewer waters of poor quality, problems persist or continue to occur in some, including where there is short-term pollution. These can occur, for example, during heavy rainfall, when the capacity of a wastewater treatment plant is exceeded, and as a result untreated wastewater is released, or fertilizers are leached from fields.

Intense rainfall associated with climate change could adversely affect the quality of bathing water, potentially increasing health risks for those who use them. Contaminated water can, if ingested, affect human health, causing stomach upset or diarrhea. Ear, eye and upper respiratory infections are also possible, and sometimes even infectious diseases. Therefore, improving human and environmental resilience will be of great importance in the near future.

Monitoring and assessment of water quality in European bathing waters

Bathing water management is carried out in accordance with the Bathing Water Quality Directive. Prior to the bathing season, each EU country identifies national bathing areas, the length of the season for each, and establishes protocols for monitoring coastal and transitional waters, rivers and lakes. Swimming pools and spas are exempt from the above requirements.

Before and during the bathing season, bathing water samples are taken and analyzed for two types of bacteria (E. coli and enterococci). Based on the number of bacteria detected, water quality is classified as excellent, good, sufficient or poor. Each country must take and analyze at least four water samples from each official bathing site – one before the bathing season and another during it (with no more than a month between each sampling).

According to the EEA, EU bathing waters that have not been classified for quality make up a significant portion of the overall list. Classification proved particularly difficult in 2020, as COVID-19 restrictions prevented sampling. As a result, 852 bathing sites were not classified in 2020, in 2021. 695 bathing sites, in 2022. 570, and in 2023. 555 bathing sites across the EU.

Bathing water quality in the EU

According to the European Environment Agency and the European Commission, the quality of Europe’s bathing water has improved significantly in recent decades and has remained at a consistently good level, at least, in recent years. One of the main requirements of the directive was to ensure that by 2015. The quality of the bathing water was at least “sufficient.” For the 2023 bathing season, 96 percent met this requirement. of all bathing sites in the EU.

Of the 22,081 bathing sites designated in Europe in 2023. (14,698 – coastal bathing sites, 7,383 – bathing sites on rivers, lakes) water in about 85 percent. of them was of excellent quality. In four countries-Cyprus, Austria, Croatia and Greece-at least 95 percent. bathing water was of excellent quality. In Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Malta, Luxembourg and Romania in 2023. All bathing waters met at least minimum quality standards. However, as the EEA points out, in five countries – Albania, Belgium, Estonia, Hungary and Poland – less than 70 percent. bathing water was of excellent quality.

The improvement in bathing water quality is the result of systematic monitoring and a holistic approach to water quality management, which has been introduced by the Bathing Water Quality Directive, major investments in municipal wastewater treatment plants, improvements to sewage networks, rationalization of fertilizer or proper storage of fertilizers. This reduced the amount of organic contaminants and pathogens in the water.

Bathing water quality in Poland

Data published by the EEA shows that in 2023. In Poland, of the 739 designated bathing sites, 406 had excellent water quality, 106 had good water quality, 33 had sufficient water quality, 21 had poor water quality, and 173 were not classified. For up-to-date information on bathing sites in Poland , visit the website of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS).

EU regulations to support maintenance of good bathing water quality

The Bathing Water Quality Directive aims to protect bathers. However, a much broader package of EU regulations allows for the protection of water quality. These include directives on urban wastewater treatment, drinking water, nitrates, flooding, the Water Framework Directive or the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

The purpose of all the above regulations is to reduce point and diffuse/area pollution, establish environmental standards for the quality of rivers, lakes, groundwater, transitional, coastal and marine waters, and protect people from the dangers of unsafe drinking water, or floods.

In addition, the European Commission is in the process of evaluating the Bathing Water Quality Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Nitrates Directive, looking at the strengths and weaknesses of these documents. It is planned that the results of the aforementioned evaluations will be published in late 2024 and early 2025.

Where can I find information on the water quality of EU bathing waters?

The European Environment Agency collects data provided by EU member states and other European countries and produces an annual assessment of the previous bathing season. It is made public before the upcoming bathing season. The 2023 bathing season assessment, along with country fact sheets, can be viewed on the EEA website. Detailed information on the List of Bathing Spas in Poland can be found on the GIS website.