Why and How is Bathing Water Quality Assessed?

   European Directive 76-160 of 8 December 1975 concerning the quality of bathing water (repealed by the 15 February 2006 Directive, to come into effect: on 31 December 2014, at the latest)

   Directive 2006/7/EC from the European Parliament and Council of 15 February 2006 concerning the management of bathing water and repealing Directive 76/160/CEE

   Public Health Code (legislative portion)
Swimming pools and bathing (Articles L. 1332-1 to L. 1332-4)

   Public Health Code (regulatory portion)
Hygiene and safety standards applicable to swimming pools and specially-outfitted bathing areas (Articles D.1332-1 to D.1332-15).
Hygiene and safety standards on other bathing areas (Articles D.1332-16 to D.1332-18).
Common provisions (Article D.1332-19).
Annexe 13-5 and annexe 13-6 of the Public Health Code.

   General Local Authorities Code (legislative portion)
Police municipale Municipal Police (Articles L. 2212-1, 2212-2, 2212-3 and 2213-23)

   Circular DGS/SD7A/2005/304 of 5 July 2005 regarding the assessment and management of health-related risks during micro-algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in areas intended for bathing and recreational water activities.

   Circular DGS/SD7A/2005/227 of 17 May 2005 regarding the health inspection campaign on bathing water quality during the bathing season in 2005

   Circular DGS/SD7A/2004/364 of 28 July 2004 regarding the assessment and management procedures for health-related risks during micro-algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in areas intended for bathing and recreational water activities. CSHPF Opinion of 6 July 2004

   Circular DGS/SD7a n°2003-270 of 4 June 2003 regarding the assessment and management procedures for health-related risks during micro-algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in areas intended for bathing and recreational water activities.

   Opinion of the French Higher Council on Public Health (CSHPF) of 6 May 2003 regarding recommendations for managing contamination in bathing waters and nautical recreational activities due to cyanobacterial blooms.

   Circular n°86-204 dated 19 June 1986 regarding the monitoring of beaches and bathing areas accessible at no cost.

European Directive n°76/160EEC of 8 December 1975 of the Council of European Communities requires Union Member States to assess the quality of bathing water in accordance with specific rules, ensure that the waters comply with the quality levels set out and provide, on a yearly basis, the results of the assessments to the European Commission.

In France, the Health/Environment Departments of the local Directorates on Health and Social Affairs (DDASS) are responsible for performing the assessments, pursuant to the provisions of the Public Health Code, which incorporates the provisions of the aforementioned Directive into the French law. The Public Health Code (Legislative Articles L.1332-1 to L.1332-4 and regulatory articles D.1332-1 to 1332-19) sets out, most notably, water quality threshold values, the frequency and procedures for health inspections) and the compliance criteria for the various sites.
In order to implement health assessments each year, at the start of the bathing season, a number of circulars are issued, specifying in particular the technical procedures to be implemented. The instructions also state, as a reminder, the need to inform the public.

With regard to beaches that fail to comply with the provisions of the EEC Directive at the end of the bathing season, remedial measures must be implemented (construction to put an end to disposing of wastewater in the natural environment, improved performance for wastewater treatment tools, installation of monitoring devices for the wastewater sanitation system, etc.). All such measures must make it possible to return to compliance so that bathing may continu.

For a number of years now, a supplementary monitoring system has been in effect for bathing waters and recreational waters, in order to better assess and manage, if necessary, micro-algae (cyanobacteria) blooms, some of which can produce toxins. For instance, the Minister of Health, via the 4 June 2003 Circular (followed by the 28 July 2004 and 5 July 2005 Circulars), working from the recommendations from the World Health Organisation and France’s Higher Council on Public Health Supérieur has set out the procedures for monitoring and managing waters affected by cyanobacteria development.