This is attested in the "Bathing Waters Report 2000" lately presented to the public by Environmental Commissioner Margot Wallström. The investigation compares the quality of the bathing areas in the member states with the values of previous seasons. In general, the report shows a continuing positive trend – both as to the quality of coastal waters and to inland waters.
In 2000, 96,6 percent of Austria’s bathing areas reached the minimum quality standards (in 1999, 95.9 percent). Thus the Alpine Republic ranks second (among the European countries with a comparably high share of inland bathing waters) behind Finland (98.8 percent).
Particularly remarkable is the fact that no bathing ban had to be imposed during the season of 2000. (Source: aqua press Int. 3/2001)
