Europe’s bathing waters are constantly improving
June 11th, 2009
Millions of Europeans enjoy going to the beach every summer. And when they do so they are reassured by European standards – which are underpinned by European legislation – that the water is clean and is safe to swim in.
This is why the bathing water report published today is so important. It presents the monitoring results of last year’s bathing season. And it is encouraging to learn that, once again, there has been an improvement on the previous year. More than 96% of costal beaches are clean, and this is also the case for some 92% of beaches located along rivers and lakes. The overwhelming majority of Europe’s bathing areas are clean – which is excellent news.
The quality of our waters is rising as the direct result of integrated, targeted policymaking. Sustainable agricultural practices are becoming more widespread. Powerful legislation on pesticides and chemicals are taking effect. Waste-water treatment has become the norm. And, perhaps most importantly, the ecosystem approach of the Water Framework Directive is beginning to pay dividends.
Clean beaches are vital for the health of summer swimmers, but they are also essential for the well-being of Europe’s marine environment and for preserving biodiversity on our continent. As we expand the Natura 2000 network into more marine areas I am sure that the quality of our costal waters will improve even more.
The report has been put together by the European Environment Agency. In addition to being a useful resource for European citizens it is also a way for us to identify where problems still exist and to make sure that action is taken to further improve the situation year on year. If you want to know more, the Environment Agency has produced an interactive map which allows you to view the quality of any beach in Europe.
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June 11th, 2009 at 10:35 pm #
Good to read our beaches are clean, although i found a complete different conclusion:
UK beaches set for clean-up following damning report
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My country: Netherlands
June 18th, 2009 at 8:12 pm #
estimado estariamos mas que complacidos en presentarles nuestra labor de años de investigacion donde estamos en condiciones de presentarles una y no por cierto la unica tecnologia del mundo que recupera el 97% del agua del mundo haciendola potable y la tecnologia de recuperacion de rteciduos urbanos rcu unica en su tipo en el mundo pra haser dela basura diesel
la prsentamos en varios paises con increhible exito seria un orgullo presentarsela a vuestro distinguido comite http://www.gheillerandpheizerecologic.com
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My country: Spain
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:58 pm #
Its great that the waters are good enough for humans to bathe in. Some day the waters hopefully will be clean enough for the fish to live in.
There has to be a drastic change in the politics to clean the baltic sea.
Thanks fro Sweden
June 24th, 2009 at 4:17 pm #
Your Fourth Reich, the undemocratic EU has no authority from the peoples.
Climate change is a natural phenomenon which cannot be stopped by mankind, we have to adapt. Climate change is a topic exploited by politicians to pass new taxes (carbon tax aka carbon ‘credit’).
By the way, the European ‘Commission’ is really a Soviet-style Politburo. Remember communism, folks? Communism killed more people in the 20th century than all other ideologies combined.
June 25th, 2009 at 6:33 pm #
Buen Dia Señor
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My country: Colombia
July 1st, 2009 at 12:29 am #
As a freedom-loving American, I appreciate the vigilant spirit of Marcel’s comment. As a fan of fair and democratic discussion, I appreciate the fact that Marcel’s comment is published on this blog. As a Californian, I support the EU’s attention to the cleanliness of beaches for public use - California struggles with this same issue. As a Christian, I know that God created our Earth to withstand far more than human abuses. As a human being, I support any honest attempts to improve people’s living conditions - any time, anywhere - and I appeal to your wisdom, Commissioner Dimas, in your daily decisions and dealings.
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My country: United States of America
July 8th, 2009 at 1:45 pm #
Great to read! The salt enjoyed which cleanses the wound!
P.S THE GREEN AGENDA
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My country: United Kingdom
July 20th, 2009 at 1:28 pm #
(:Hi!This blog help the human for saving their life and it gives the tips on health and maintainance.Thank you for sharing information with us.keep post continue and stay tune with us.
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My country: United States of America
August 2nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm #
This is good news but I fear that things will worsen with what is happening in Greece: a good old open-air landfill for the city of Athens being built in a valley leading in the sea of the Evia Gulf and the Bay of Marathon!
Pollution + Corruption: the deadly mix in Greece. http://www.facebook.com/BoycottPollutedGreece
Opening an open-air landfill for the 5million city of Athens, in a Green Zone, in a valley leading into the sea where Club Med, fish farms, people, protected seals live. No difference between hospital waste, heavy metals, chemical waste, household garbage. No consideration for clean alternatives done elsewhere (because Gvt friends don’t have the know-how) No consideration for citizens’ rights who were not even expropriated! The military was sent to start the works just days before the July 16 EU deadline! Get informed on http://www.facebook.com/BoycottPollutedGreece Tell your friends, families, journalists, tour operators, politicians
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My country: Greenland
August 19th, 2009 at 5:05 am #
http://www.s22s.com
August 24th, 2009 at 9:32 am #
Thanks for your nice blog, good to know about these clean beaches.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:09 pm #
Glad to know about this article, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
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My country: Italy
August 31st, 2009 at 12:38 am #
Well, sharing such information for free will always be liked.
Great article!
Keep Going!!
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My country: Pakistan
September 16th, 2009 at 10:46 pm #
I really like the spectrum of comments here! A wise man has many counselors. This is like a typical discussion in California, with each really speaking his/her mind. I love it! Consistently clean beaches are definitely a challenge in our modern world. As was stated in a comment above, California struggles with the same issue. I am thankful for each step that we accomplish, whether in Europe or elsewhere.
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My country: United States of America
September 17th, 2009 at 12:21 pm #
I take this as good news rather than assume that its a tourist marketing ploy. The fact that there is a consolidated EU effort to clean their bathing waters is proof enough that pollution could be prevented with proper use of available resources. Here in the U.S. we’re dealing with drinking water contamination issues on isolated areas. Hopefully there would be a joint effort between our two governments to compare nots on findings and innovations. Keep up the good work.
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My country: United States of America
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:15 pm #
http://www.zougla.gr - αυτή είναι η σελίδα που θα βγει στον αέρα αύριο …
news24.gr
http://www.news24.gr Σκαει η Μπόμπα,…..
ΙΕΡΑ ΜΟΝΗ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΑΝΤΙΝΙΤΣΑΣ Ηγούμ. Αρχιμ. Αγαθόνικος Αναγνωστόπουλος (μον. 3).Τηλ. 2231.0.96720……….KIRIE DIMAS SE PARAKALO VOITISE MY
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:11 pm #
I have been reading blogs all day on clean water and clean water efforts. I appreciate this story much like the others from CA. Anything we do locally, nationally, and globally to insure clean water is a good thing. Keep it up with the good posts and great conversations!
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My country: United States of America
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