Tourists in Europe are Swimming in Raw Sewage Despite Blue Flags
Published on by Esther Rasenberg, Water News Europe in Government
Due to summer peaks, illegal discharges and bad functioning wastewater treatment plants
(WWTP’s) tourists on several European coasts are swimming in raw sewage.
Brown foam, bandages, condoms and toilet paper are causing health risks for holiday makers.
According to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which came into force in 1991, all sewage has to be treated before discharging it into surface water. This spring the European Environment Agency (EEA) reported 96% Europe’s bathing waters met the minimum requirements set out under EU rules in 2016. But with the summer season coming to its peak a different picture can be seen.
On several coasts in Spain, Bulgaria, Ireland and France the discharge of raw sewage has been reported.
Read more: Water News Europe
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