Water pollution action begins

Eleven European Union member states have been formally warned over the state of their bathing waters, as the Commission attempts to bring Governments into line over environmental directives.

The member states in question, which include France, Germany, Italy and Spain, have been removing bathing sites from their official lists in order to avoid action on pollution levels. This process, according to the European Court of Justice, should be properly explained and not used as a response to water pollution. Around 7000 previously recognised bathing sites have so far been affected, between the early 1990’s and 2004.

"The EU Bathing Water Directive is helping to ensure that millions of bathers can enjoy clean bathing water during the summer months. That is why I am concerned that some Member States do no longer apply the safeguard measures of the Directive to several thousand bathing waters across the EU,” explained Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. “Failing to clean up the polluted bathing sites is both against the letter and the spirit of the Directive."