Beaches & Bathing Areas

The Department of Health carries out health surveillance of coastal (Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa) and continental bathing areas (Álava). Bathing areas are classified annually as EXCELLENT/GOOD/SUFICIENT/INSUFICIENT based on the analytical results of the last four years. During the bathing season the Department of Health takes samples of bathing water to determine the microbiological parameters: E.coli and Enterococos, as laid down in Directive 2006/7/EC and Royal Decree 1341/2007. If the results indicate that the water does not reach a sufficient quality, the recommendation is issued not to bathe. Likewise, the state of the beach environment is valued in terms of services, cleaning, etc., being classified as good, improveable or bad.