EU Countries Must Clean Up Dirty Beaches by 2011
Date: 11-May-05
Country: FRANCE
Politicians say one in eight swimmers is falling ill after a trip to the seaside.
The new standards will overhaul current criteria set nearly 30 years ago and reduce the risk of swimmers catching stomach bugs and respiratory illnesses.
"Sewage and swimmers should not have to share the same space but too often that used to be the case," said Chris Davies, a Liberal Democrat in the European Parliament.
"This new law will raise standards still further while giving swimmers, surfers and canoeists up-to-date information about the water they use," he said in a statement.
The assembly voted for tougher water cleanliness rules to apply from 2011, bringing forward an earlier deadline set for 2015.
EU lawmakers also want to promote a system of smiling face signs at beaches, like the "smileys" used in e-mails, to inform bathers of the level of water cleanliness in the sea, lakes and rivers.
They are also urging the EU to devise an emergency plan to clean up after major pollution accidents.
