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EU bathing water quality remains high: Clean bathing waters are vital for key economic sectors such as tourism and for plant and animal life. The annual bathing water report presented by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency shows that 96 % of coastal bathing areas and 90 % of bathing sites in rivers and lakes complied with minimum standards in 2009. It also describes where to obtain detailed and up-to-date information on bathing sites.
Located in Press room › News
Quality of bathing water — 2010 bathing season: Annual summary report of bathing water quality in EU Member States. Detailed data are available via EEA WISE bathing water site.
Located in Publications
Getting Europe's precious waters clean again: Protecting water from pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges that we face. In recent decades, major disasters like the Sandoz incident in 1986 demonstrated that pollution knows no frontiers and that strong EU actions and cooperation were needed. This detailed news report looks at the ways in which Europe’s determination to protect water in all its forms is achieving results. From the European quality of the drinking water, through the treatment of waste water, to protection of its rivers, coasts and lakes – over the last few decades it has developed an effective legislative arsenal. The aim of the European Union is for all the water on its territory to by in good status by 2015. Although challenges remain, results are obvious. For example, in 2000, the EU adopted a directive promoting trans-boundary co-operation and introducing the river basin management concept where the territory of the river as a whole is taken into account. And in terms of bathing water, since 1990, the number of bathing sites fulfilling the EU standards has increased by almost 30% to an impressive 90%.
Located in Environmental topics › Water › Multimedia
Interview with health expert: Gabriele Schöning - EEA expert on Human Health "People might have different opinions about what are the most important environmental issues at the moment. A very important thing definitely is climate change and how this will affect the whole environment but also human health by increasing ultra-violet radiation which might lead to skin cancers. Other more up to date problems are air pollution problems - although it has become better it is still a thing which affects children's health and is causing allergies. Another point is water quality which, for instance, comes up in old cities where you still have lead water pipes in the houses and this can lead to complications for children and can reduce children's intelligence."
Located in Environmental topics › Environment and health › Multimedia
Freshwater - State and impacts (Germany): SOER Common environmental theme from Germany
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Germany
Freshwater - Drivers and pressures (Germany): SOER Common environmental theme from Germany
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Germany
Nature protection and biodiversity - State and impacts (Germany): SOER Common environmental theme from Germany
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Germany
Nature protection and biodiversity - Drivers and pressures (Germany): SOER Common environmental theme from Germany
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Germany
National and regional story (Germany) - The way toward unifying environmental protection: SOER National and regional story from Germany
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Germany
Freshwater - Why care? (Luxembourg): SOER Common environmental theme from Luxembourg - freshwater
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Luxembourg