CYPRUS HAS aced an EU 2010 bathing water survey for a second year running, after 100 per cent of the island’s coastal bathing sites met EU guidelines.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission survey examined 112 bathing sites in the government controlled areas of Cyprus, including 58 high quality, or ‘blue flag’ bathing areas. A total of 979 samples were collected and analysed, with all gaining top marks.
After Cyprus, the most clean bathing waters are in Croatia (97.3 per cent), Malta (95.4 per cent), Greece (94.2 per cent ) and Ireland (90.1 per cent).
Overall in 2010, 92.1 per cent of Europe’s coastal bathing waters and 90.2 per cent of inland bathing waters met the minimum water quality standards set by the bathing water directives.
And while Cyprus standards have remained high, there has been a general deterioration in bathing water quality in recent years throughout the rest of the EU.
1.2 per cent of coastal bathing water and 2.8 per cent of inland sites were non-compliant and the number of bathing areas meeting the mandatory values fell by 3.5 per cent, while those meeting guide values fell by 9.5 per cent.
Rivers were particularly problematic, with only one quarter achieving guide values.
Nevertheless, more than nine in ten bathing waters meet the minimum quality standards
According to the report, Cyprus enjoys lower levels of microorganisms in its coastal waters thanks to three climatic characteristics. These are the increased sunlight, high temperature and the salinity of the coastal waters in the eastern Mediterranean.
Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said: “I am glad to see that the quality of Europe’s bathing waters remains high… clean water is a priceless resource, and we should not take it for granted.”
The analysis brings together data from more than 21,000 designated bathing waters across Europe, approximately 70 per cent of them coastal sites.
The Commission also announced the introduction of a new set of signs that will be displayed in public bathing areas to indicate the cleanliness of the water.
The signs clearly show if bathing is unsafe, by placing the image of a swimmer in a red crossed out circle. Suitable bathing areas are given a star rating from zero (poor) to three stars (excellent).
Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, said: “Clean water for swimming is very important for EU citizens, and this information will allow them to demand the highest quality water in lakes, rivers and beaches.”
European citizens can find out about the water quality at their favourite swimming spot by checking the Water Information System for Europe (WISE). The site allows users to download data and check interactive maps, from the European level down to the individual monitoring station level.
