The EU agency EEA checked swimming spots in Europe. It says: 85 percent of the water is excellent. This means the water is very clean.
Experts and the group Correctiv criticize the report. The EEA only checks for 2 kinds of bacteria. The EEA ignores other dangers.
The water often contains chemicals like pesticides. There are also blue algae and toxic metals. In Austria, almost all swimming spots contain chemicals.
Many spots in Germany are also dirty. This affects lakes and beaches at the sea. Experts call the good report misleading.
Poisons can make people sick. They can cause skin rashes or infections. Foam on the water can be dangerous.
The EEA says: We follow the laws. The laws only ask for bacteria checks. The EU must change these rules now.
