Water policy: quality of bathing water

The Commission's amended proposal incorporates in full or in part 24 amendments adopted by the European Parliament on first reading. The main amendments concern: - the definition of good quality bathing water; - the definition of 'bathing seasons': the period during which people normally bathe in the light of the geographical situation, local custom and weather conditions; - the definition of 'competent authority': the authority indicated by the Member State empowered to enforce all or some of the obligations arising from this directive; - the need for close coordination between this directive and a future directive setting out a framework for future policy with regard to water; - information for the public concerning the quality of bathing water: it must be uniform and easily understandable, include information on general safety aspects and indicate where assistance may be obtained if needed; - informing the Commission of action taken to avoid pollution and restore the quality of water affected; - obligation for Member States to prohibit bathing and inform the public where pollution constitutes a threat to public health; - deadline for implementation set at 31/12/1997. The Commission does not however adopt the amendments: - seeking an orientation towards tourism and/or tourist programmes; - seeking to extend the definition of bathing water to recreational water; - seeking to insert a pesticide and nitrates parameter; - introducing a type 1 advisory committee; - introducing a very stringent definition of bathing zones and deleting a transition period for new bathing zones; - calling for the establishment by each Member State of public information database and presentation of a yearly financial report of the actions taken by the Member States regarding the implementation of the directive. �