Cyprus Tops Europe for Cleanest Bathing Waters in New Report

According to a report by the European Environment Agency, Cyprus ranks first in Europe for the quality of its bathing waters, with a score of 99.2%. Poland ranks last among the 27 countries analyzed.

The report examined more than 22,000 bathing waters in the 27 EU member states, as well as Albania and Switzerland. It found that in 2024, over 85% of waters across the EU will be rated as excellent, and 96% will meet at least the minimum quality requirements. Poor quality was found in 1.5% of bathing waters.

Following Cyprus, Bulgaria (97.9%), Greece (97%), Austria (95.8%), and Croatia (95.2%) also scored highly. At the other end of the scale, Poland has the worst score (58.1%). Other countries with poor water quality include Estonia (61.5%), Hungary (67%), and Belgium (69.2%).

The report notes that the quality of bathing waters in Europe has improved significantly over the last four decades, thanks to systematic monitoring, investments in wastewater treatment plants, and the reduction of urban wastewater discharges.

However, in Poland, the Supreme Sanitary Inspection closed five bathing areas due to the blooming of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).