Bathing areas in Wallonia

The Department of Environment and Water organises the monitoring of bathing water quality. Water samples are collected throughout the bathing season. Two types of bacteria that indicate fecal contamination of water are sought: intestinal enterococci and Escherichia coli.
Based on the bacterial levels collected over the last four seasons, an assessment of bathing water quality is carried out each year. Bathing waters can be classified as 'excellent', 'good', 'sufficient' or 'insufficient'.
Before each bathing season, the Minister of the Environment makes an order to designate the areas that will be open to the public.
Bathing areas with ‘insufficient’ water quality must be closed during the following bathing season and are subject to the obligation to put in place measures to reduce pollution and eliminate health hazards for bathers. A permanent bathing ban is required in areas where water quality has been considered ‘insufficient’ for five consecutive years.
The monitoring of cyanobacteria (or blue algae) has been carried out on bodies of water since the 2011 bathing season.