August the 25th, 2024 – The glorious Croatian Adriatic Sea is the cleanest sea in all of Europe, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA).
As Forbes Hrvatska/Croatia writes, if you find yourself dreaming of the perfect water to dive into, then you don’t have to look further than that which laps against the rugged Croatian coast and idyllic islands. Whether you’re imagining yourself floating aimlessly in the crystal clear Croatian Adriatic Sea, sunbathing on the scorching beaches of nearby Greece or enjoying the picturesque coast of neighbouring Italy, the purity of the sea water you refresh yourself in is key.
Clean sea water is not only a matter of aesthetics and enticing azure depths – it is also a key aspect of public health and environmental protection.
the croatian adriatic sea – the cleanest in europe
In close cooperation with the European Commission (EC), the European Environment Agency (EEA) recently published its latest report, which includes 22,081 locations across all EU Member States, as well as Albania and Switzerland. The involved countries were ranked based on the quality of their swimming water cleanliness using data collected in rigorous annual assessments. These assessments monitor bacterial contaminants such as Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci.
The grading process classifies the water into four categories: excellent, good, satisfactory and poor. The grade “excellent” means that the water meets the highest possible standards of cleanliness and safety, which makes it ideal for swimming and other recreational activities, and the Croatian Adriatic Sea has been classified as precisely that.
The strict criteria set by the EU Bathing Water Directive, adopted back in 2006, has significantly improved water quality throughout Europe as a whole. According to the latest report, 85 percent of popular European swimming waters achieved the sought-after “excellent” rating, while 96 percent meet at least minimum quality standards. Only 1.5 percent of the measures sites were rated as poor, reflecting ongoing efforts to reduce pollution and improve water quality.
the croatian adriatic sea – as safe as it is stunning
According to the latest report, Croatia, known worldwide for its jaw-dropping beauty, is the country with the cleanest waters in all of Europe. An impressive 99.1 percent of the 894 tested locations across the Republic of Croatia were rated as being excellent.
Croatia was closely followed on that list by Cyprus, nearby Greece and neighbouring Slovenia – which are also highly ranked for their pristine waters and gorgeous beaches. These countries consistently meet the EU’s exceptionally strict water quality standards, ensuring a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for tourists and locals alike.
