Article 1

1. This Directive concerns the quality of bathing water, with the exception of water intended for therapeutic purposes and water used in swimming pools. 2. For the purposes of this Directive: (a) "bathing water" means all running or still fresh waters or parts thereof and sea water, in which: - bathing is explicitly authorized by the competent authorities of each member State, or bathing is not prohibited and is traditionally practised by a large number of bathers; "bathing area" means any place where bathing water is found; "bathing season" means the period during which a large number of bathers can be expected, in the light of local custom, and any local rules which may exist concerning bathing and weather conditions.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-10 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.