Marine Biologist: Water Quality at Estonian Beaches No Cause for Concern
Despite a European Environment Agency report ranking Estonia's bathing water quality among the poorest in Europe, marine biologist Georg Martin says that does not mean the beaches are unsafe for swimming.
Assessment and Methodology
A recent European Environment Agency report placed Estonia's official bathing water sites among the lowest in Europe for quality. However, Georg Martin, head of the marine biology department at the Estonian Marine Institute, argues that this does not warrant alarm. He points out that nearly 57% of Estonia's official bathing sites actually have excellent water quality, and only three are classified as poor.
Martin emphasizes that cross-country comparisons must consider how water samples are collected. The EU Bathing Water Directive requires at least four samples per year, but countries that take more samples get a more accurate picture. If an assessment relies on just four measurements, chance plays a significant role. Factors like weather, recent rainfall, water temperature, and even the number of swimmers can affect results.
Coastal vs. Inland Waters
Bathing water quality is evaluated using two bacterial indicators: Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. These bacteria generally die off faster in seawater than in freshwater. Consequently, countries where most official sites are coastal often top European rankings. Cyprus, for instance, has very few inland water bodies. Martin stresses that broad generalizations should not cause panic; much depends on which water bodies are assessed and how samples are taken.
Common Sense and Cyanobacteria
Martin advises people to use common sense before swimming. If the water does not look inviting, it may be wise to avoid it, especially for children. Warm, sunny weather promotes the growth of both algae and bacteria. This year, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) appeared in Estonian waters slightly earlier than usual, but Martin notes this is not abnormal. These algae are always present but become visible under favorable conditions: warm water, abundant sunlight, nutrients, and calm winds. The current rainy and windier weather may disperse the first bloom, but another could develop later in the summer.
Climate Change and Investments
Climate change is also affecting Estonia's waters. While winter snow cover has declined, overall precipitation has increased, washing more nutrients and runoff into the sea. However, Martin says this does not mean rapid deterioration. Investments in wastewater treatment, sewer systems, and other environmental measures have yielded results, with several indicators showing improvement.
Martin concludes that people can generally swim at Estonia's official beaches without worry. Regular monitoring ensures the public is quickly informed of any issues. He advises against taking European rankings as proof of poor water quality and instead recommends paying attention to official warnings and exercising usual caution when swimming in natural waters.
