Public health risks associated with faecal contamination of bathing waters and fungal contamination in sand

Bathing water classification under the European Bathing Water Directive (BWD) is underpinned by various assumptions. The BWD requires that at least four bathing water samples are analysed for faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) during the bathing season [mid-May to mid-September]. Water quality is classified as ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’, ‘Sufficient’ or ‘Poor’ based on the results of four consecutive bathing seasons. The classification is based on the 90th or 95th percentiles of the levels of E. coli and intestinal enterococci over this four year period. Chapters 3 and 4 describe high resolution analysis of bathing waters based on extended monitoring of water quality throughout the year. The resulting data conclusively show that sampling regimen required by the BWD is not fit for purpose because of the high degree of variability from day to day. I therefore concluded that alternative approaches to assess water quality are required, for example predictive modelling.