Beaches sail through test
Greece’s swimming spots remained excellent in 2005, according to the European Commission, which said in a report released yesterday that coastal sites across the country were sufficiently monitored for bathers. The Commission said that 100 percent of beaches in Greece met mandatory rules, while the respective figure across the European Union came in at 96.1 percent. «Greece reported on 2006 coastal sites and four freshwater areas in 2005. Bathing water quality remained excellent, with 100 percent compliance with the mandatory values at both types of sites,» the report said. Greek beaches also met 98.1 percent of the stricter EU standards, which are optional for each country, versus 97.6 percent in 2004. Member states are required to monitor the water quality through regular sampling during the season and to report the results to Brussels.
