EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL ENVIRONMENT

Directorate ENV.C, Zero Pollution

Unit ENV.C.1, Sustainable Freshwater Management

Brussels

DG ENV.C1/OK

To the Members of the Expert Group on

the Bathing Water Directive

representing Member States

cc MS focal points of the SCG

Subject : Follow-up Questionnaire on the Implementation of the Bathing Water

Directive (2006/7/EC)

As announced during the 12th Bathing Water Expert Group Meeting (18 September 2025), the

European Commission is gathering Member States' experiences on the implementation of the

Bathing Water Directive (Directive 2006/7/EC). This follows up on the evaluation published

last year and the follow-up discussions about current challenges and opportunities in light of

climate change, digital innovation, and evolving public health needs.

The 2025 European Environment Agency (EEA) Annual Bathing Water Report and the Expert

Group discussions highlighted key areas where Member States face practical challenges or

opportunities for improvement, such as:

• Clarifying Definitions, such as what constitutes a "large number of bathers" and how

to adapt bathing season durations in a changing climate.

• Enhancing monitoring and reporting, particularly experience with sampling

frequencies, analytical methods and supplementary parameters (e.g. cyanobacteria,

chemical risk or other microbial indicators);

• Management of short-term pollution events.

• Enhancing the use of digital means to gather and communicate information,

including real-time monitoring, predictive modelling, and integration with broader EU

water policies like the Water Resilience Strategy.

As a follow-up to the Expert Group Meeting, we have prepared a questionnaire to gather your

valuable insights and experiences on these themes. Your responses will help identify common

challenges, best practices, and potential areas for further support.

Please fill in the questionnaire using the following link: Questionnaire EU Survey BWD

In order to ensure that the Commission receives a coherent and representative picture of

national implementation, we expect each Member State to provide a single, consolidated

reply reflecting the agreed national position.

We kindly ask you to provide feedback on the attached questionnaire by 9 September

2026. The goal is to capture your practical experiences, challenges, and suggestions with the

view of enhancing implementation.

If you have any questions regarding the preparation of this meeting, please do not hesitate to

contact us via [email protected].

Yours faithfully,

(e-signed)

Claudia Olazabal

Head of Unit

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL ENVIRONMENT

Directorate ENV.C, Zero Pollution

Unit ENV.C.1, Sustainable Freshwater Management

Brussels

DG ENV.C1/OK

To the Members of the Expert Group on

the Bathing Water Directive

representing Member States

cc MS focal points of the SCG

Subject : Follow-up Questionnaire on the Implementation of the Bathing Water

Directive (2006/7/EC)

As announced during the 12th Bathing Water Expert Group Meeting (18 September 2025), the

European Commission is gathering Member States' experiences on the implementation of the

Bathing Water Directive (Directive 2006/7/EC). This follows up on the evaluation published

last year and the follow-up discussions about current challenges and opportunities in light of

climate change, digital innovation, and evolving public health needs.

The 2025 European Environment Agency (EEA) Annual Bathing Water Report and the Expert

Group discussions highlighted key areas where Member States face practical challenges or

opportunities for improvement, such as:

• Clarifying Definitions, such as what constitutes a "large number of bathers" and how

to adapt bathing season durations in a changing climate.

• Enhancing monitoring and reporting, particularly experience with sampling

frequencies, analytical methods and supplementary parameters (e.g. cyanobacteria,

chemical risk or other microbial indicators);

• Management of short-term pollution events.

• Enhancing the use of digital means to gather and communicate information,

including real-time monitoring, predictive modelling, and integration with broader EU

water policies like the Water Resilience Strategy.

As a follow-up to the Expert Group Meeting, we have prepared a questionnaire to gather your

valuable insights and experiences on these themes. Your responses will help identify common

challenges, best practices, and potential areas for further support.

Please fill in the questionnaire using the following link: Questionnaire EU Survey BWD

In order to ensure that the Commission receives a coherent and representative picture of

national implementation, we expect each Member State to provide a single, consolidated

reply reflecting the agreed national position.

We kindly ask you to provide feedback on the attached questionnaire by 9 September

2026. The goal is to capture your practical experiences, challenges, and suggestions with the

view of enhancing implementation.

If you have any questions regarding the preparation of this meeting, please do not hesitate to

contact us via [email protected].

Yours faithfully,

(e-signed)

Claudia Olazabal

Head of Unit