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Bathing water management in Europe: Successes and challenges

This report summarises how over 40 years of European environmental policy and management have significantly improved bathing water quality across Europe.

3.4 Water pollution and human health

This briefing evaluates Europe’s progress towards reducing the risks water pollution poses to human health. It uses country data reported under EU legislation and by the Eionet , indicators and reports to assess current status as well as climate change predictions to develop an outlook for the future. It is related to briefing 1.1 State of Europe’s biodiversity and briefing 1.2 Pollution of ecosystems .

Reported bathing waters in Europe per million inhabitants, reported inland bathing waters per 1 000 km2 and reported coastal bathing waters per 10 km of coastline

Specific number of bathing waters per million inhabitants, per coastline and per land area

Percentage of bathing water sample points complying with Guide values (C(G)) or complying with Mandatory values (C(I)) - 2003

Inland bathing water quality in the European Union, 1990-2011

The figure shows the bathing water quality in different European countries over time: 1990, 7 EU Member States; 1991 to 1994, 12 EU Member States; 1995-96, 14 EU Member States; 1997 to 2003, 15 EU Member States; 2004, 21 EU Member States; 2005-06, 25 EU Member States; 2007 to 2011, 27 EU Member States. No inland bathing waters are reported from three Member States (Cyprus, Malta and Romania). The quality classes under the New Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) are jointed with compliance categories under the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC).

Proportion of coastal and inland bathing waters of excellent quality in EU-27, Albania and Switzerland, season 2024

The figure shows the share of bathing water of excellent quality by type and country in 2024.

Bathing waters with excellent water quality in Europe

Bathing water quality has improved over time based on tests for Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and intestinal enterococci bacteria. Between 2010 and 2024, the share of EU bathing waters classified as ‘excellent’ quality was within a range of 81-89% for coastal bathing waters and 60-82% for inland bathing waters. Consistently high shares of excellent bathing water quality indicate that the combined effect of the systematic monitoring and management of bathing sites, and improvements in wastewater networks and treatment have led to a drastic reduction in organic pollutants and pathogens.

European bathing water quality in 2019

Bathing is an extremely popular and important leisure activity in Europe. This annual assessment of European bathing sites shows how well environmental protection measures are implemented, allowing people to make informed decisions on where to go to best enjoy Europe’s inland and coastal bathing sites.

Quality of Europe’s bathing waters remains high

The majority of bathing water sites in Europe met the European Union’s most stringent ‘excellent’ water quality standards in 2022, according to the latest annual Bathing Water report published today. The assessment, put together by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in cooperation with the European Commission, highlights where swimmers can find the cleanest bathing sites in Europe this summer.

Average (1992-2003) of bathing water sampling points compliance in percentage of the total number

Bathing water areas with abnormal situations caused by Central European floods

Map illustrate the bathing waters that were affected by the 2013 Central European flood (around 1 June) and sampling of bathing waters were not possible and the bathing.

Bathing water areas with short term pollution events in 2013

The map illustrates bathing waters where there have been reported short term pollution events in 2013.

Bathing water quality in Albania in 2015 (left) and 2019 (right)

Map is divided into two frames; left frame shows the achieved bathing water quality in Albania in 2015 whereas the right frame shows the achieved bathing water quality in 2019. Bathing water locations (points) are colored in accordance to achieved quality class: Excellent (dark blue), Good (blue), Sufficient (light blue), Poor (red). If not enough samples for quality classification are available, status Not classified (grey) is applied.

Bathing water quality in the European Union in the period 2011-2014

Bathing water quality in the European Union in the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 bathing seasons.

Bathing waters in the Guadalupe Island

Map shows achieved bathing water quality on Guadalupe Island in 2018 as well as bathing waters affected by IRMA cyclone (green diamond) and Sargassum algae (pink diamond). Bathing water locations (points) are coloured in accordance to achieved quality class: Excellent (dark blue), Good (blue), Sufficient (light blue), Poor (red). If not enough samples for quality classification are available, status Not classified (grey) is applied.

Blue Flags in marinas and beaches (2004)

Coastal bathing water quality in the Western Balkans, 2005

State of bathing waters in 2019

This map shows bathing water locations and their quality for the latest as well as previous bathing seasons. All symbols are coloured according to achieved quality status in the most recent season. Data are presented on two levels: country (less detailed scales) and bathing water (more detailed scales).

Bathing water quality in Europe

Bathing water quality is improving in Europe. In 2016, the vast majority (85.5 %) of the more than 21,000 monitored bathing sites had excellent water quality. About two thirds of all monitored sites are by the coast and one third in inland rivers and lakes.

Bathing water quality for the 28 EU Member States, Albania and Switzerland

Bathing water quality results in 2014 for the 28 EU Member States and other countries with bathing water quality results

Percentage of coastal bathing waters in the European Union per compliance category

Total number of bathing waters reported in the European Union since 1990

European bathing water quality in 2012

This report provides a comprehensive synopsis of the quality of bathing waters in the Member States of the European Union in the 2012 bathing season. It thereby gives an indication of the areas where the quality of bathing is expected to be good if not excellent during 2013. The report also shows the evolution of bathing water quality from 1990 to 2012.

European bathing water quality in 2013

For many Europeans, summer holidays revolve around bathing water — whether it is snorkelling in turquoise seas, swimming in a lake or surfing. So it is natural that people have a keen interest in the quality of the bathing waters at this time of year. The report assesses bathing water quality in 2013 in all EU Member States plus Albania and Switzerland, indicating where the best quality bathing is likely to be found this year.