Inland and Coastal Bathing Water Quality in the Last Decade (2011–2020): Croatia vs. Region vs. EU

Slaven Jozić,Arijana Cenov,Sandra Marinac-Pupavac,Dominik Galić,Damir Kapetanović,Daniel Maestro,Romina Kraus,Darija Vukić Lušić,Dražen Lušić,Vanja Baljak,Marin Glad,Nerma Maestro

doi:10.3390/w13172440

Abstract

Europe is one of the leading tourist destinations where tourism is one of the key economic sectors. The quality of bathing waters is a very important factor when choosing a vacation destination. Croatia recognized this early and was one of the first Mediterranean countries to start systematic monitoring of bathing waters. On the other hand, monitoring of inland bathing waters is relatively new and includes a much smaller number of sites (41) compared to coastal waters (894). The aim of this paper was to summarize and analyze the water quality of inland and coastal bathing sites of Croatia, closer regions (non-EU Member States) and in the EU for the last decade. The share of excellent water quality in EU Member States increased by 10.1% and 6.6% for inland and coastal waters, respectively (2011–2020). Germany recorded the highest proportion of excellent water quality for inland waters (92.2%) and Cyprus for coastal waters (99.3%). Looking at the 10-year average of the proportion of bathing waters with excellent quality, the proportion of coastal bathing sites exceeds that of inland waters by 7.1%. It is clear that additional efforts should be made to improve the management and monitoring of inland waters.

Highlights

IntroductionDirective (BWD) 2006/7/EC [1]
Bathing water management in the European Union (EU) is regulated by Bathing WaterDirective (BWD) 2006/7/EC [1]
(2011), only water four bathing were were included in year the official monitoring program inland bathing qualitysites in Croincluded in the official monitoring program for inland bathing water quality in Croatia

Summary

Introduction

Directive (BWD) 2006/7/EC [1]. Its main objective was to safeguard public health and protect the aquatic environment in coastal and inland areas from pollution. The Directive was repealed in 2006 by the new, revised BWD 2006/7/EC [1]. The purpose of the new BWD is to preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment and to protect human health. It lays down provisions for the monitoring and classification of bathing water quality, the management of bathing water quality and the procedures for informing the public about bathing water quality. All Member States were required to transpose the revised BWD into national law by 2008, with full implementation due by December 2014

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