Sejm passes Water Law amendment to tighten bathing area controls

The Sejm has passed an amendment to the Water Law aimed at tightening controls over bathing areas. The legislation, which passed with 273 votes in favor, 137 abstentions, and 24 against, is now heading to the Senate for deliberation.

The amendment aligns Polish regulations with a 2006 EU directive. Under the new rules, the Chief Sanitary Inspector will notify relevant authorities about bathing areas where water quality is not classified as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. In cases where water fails to meet microbiological standards or poses a risk of cyanobacteria blooms, the sanitary inspector will issue decisions requiring organizers to identify the cause of pollution and implement protective measures to safeguard human health.

Furthermore, the law clarifies monitoring procedures for cyanobacteria, macroalgae, and marine phytoplankton to ensure faster detection of health threats.