Overview

• The EEA’s latest report, covering data from 2021 to 2024, found that 85% of over 22,000 bathing waters across 29 countries achieved 'excellent' quality under EU standards.
• Germany led the rankings with 90.5% of its nearly 2,300 sites rated 'excellent', though nine German locations were classified as poor—two more than last year.
• Coastal waters outperformed rivers and lakes thanks to tidal renewal, and only 1.6% of European bathing sites were deemed to have poor water quality.
• Fecal bacteria from wastewater and agricultural runoff remain the main health concern driving EEA calls for site closures, warning notices or remedial measures.
• Decades of EU regulations have driven substantial water quality improvements but the EEA warns that ongoing pollution controls and climate adaptation are needed to maintain gains.