European bathing water quality in 2019
Last EEA report reveals that bathing water quality in Europe has improved markedly over the last decades. Systematic monitoring and management introduced under the Bathing Water Directive, (EU, 2006) large investments in urban waste water treatment plants and improvements in waste water networks have led to a drastic reduction in pollutants released through untreated or partially treated urban waste waters. Thanks to these continuous efforts, bathing is today feasible in urbanized and formerly heavily-polluted surface waters. This suggests how solid and well-implemented policies can make a difference.