Post a comment on the text below

If microbiological pollution causes ‘poor’ bathing water quality, the sources and extent of pollution have to be assessed in the first place (e.g. foul sewage pipe, pollution from manure). If the causes of poor water quality are not known, special studies to explore the sources might be needed. The implementation of Urban Waste Water Directive has successfully led to reduced pollution and improved water quality at numerous bathing water sites of low quality. The assessment confirms that the UWWTD has proved very effective overall when fully implemented and has improved water quality throughout the European Union. Though implementing the Directive has been expensive, its benefits clearly outweigh its costs (EEA, 2019b). In order to find and eliminate pollution sources, inventories of bathing waters affected by water draining from farms and farmland and from scattered houses with misconnected drains are established. If bathing waters are affected by large number of animals (Box 6), it may be necessary to restrict their access (e.g. fence) or change the location of the bathing water site. Bathing water sites classified as 'poor' have to be closed throughout the following bathing season and must have measures in place to reduce pollution and eliminate hazards to the health of bathers.