Indicators of Sustainable Development

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Indicator: Compliance with Bathing Water Directive R2
Percentage of coastal bathing waters meeting EC Bathing Water Directive mandatory and guideline standards: 1988 to 2003  
Indicator Chart
Change since
dots 1970
tick 1990
tick 1999

Coverage: United Kingdom

Source: Environment Agency, SEPA, EHS

Objective: Aim to raise consistent compliance with European Bathing Water Directive
  • Compliance with the mandatory coliform standards of the European Bathing Water Directive at coastal waters in the UK was 98 per cent in 2003 compared with 77 per cent in 1990 and 91 per cent in 1999.
  • The Directive's tougher, non-mandatory, guideline standards were met at 75 per cent of UK coastal bathing beaches in 2003 compared with 23 per cent in 1990 and 42 per cent in 1999.

Page last modified: 21 April 2004  |  Page published: 21 April 2004