Bathing water quality in Wallonia (BE) as reported under Directive 2006/7/EC - 2021 report

This report includes the location of the monitoring points and the quality level of the official bathing areas in Wallonia in accordance with Directive 2006/7/EC for the 2021 reporting year. The quality of bathing water in Wallonia is assessed by monthly or bi-monthly checks (or even weekly if necessary) under the responsibility of the Public Service of Wallonia (Directorate for Surface Waters of the SPW ARNE) throughout the season, which runs from 15 May to 30 September. The quality assessment is carried out using bacteria indicating faecal contamination: intestinal enterococci and Escherichia coli. These microorganisms are normally present in the intestinal flora of mammals and humans in particular. Their presence in the water, due to waste water and animals, indicates a faecal contamination of bathing water, more or less strong depending on the concentrations found. They are thus an indicator of the level of pollution and reflect the probability of the presence of pathogenic germs. The health check shall also include visual monitoring for the presence of, for example, tarry residues, glass, plastic or other waste. In addition, monitoring of cyanobacteria (or blue-green algae) has been carried out in lake- and pond-type bathing areas since 2011. Some cyanobacteria may release toxins into the water. Laboratory analyses include the quantification of chlorophyll-a, the identification of cyanobacteria species and the quantification of toxins (microcystin-like). This data includes the data layer that locates the quality monitoring points of the official bathing areas of Wallonia, corresponding to a defined point in the area of maximum use of bathers, as well as the values of the quality measurements that have been carried out throughout the bathing season. This corresponds to the reporting required by European Directive 2006/7/EC for the year 2021. Sampling and analysis are carried out by the Scientific Institute of Public Service (ISSeP).