Water and its recreational use have long been recognized as major influences of health and well-being. Clean, well-managed recreational water sites – be they oceans, lakes, rivers, pools or spas – are a focal point for communities and an economic drawcard for tourists and sporting events.  Yet, as human activity and climate change intensify, more freshwater and coastal water beaches are prone to pollution from overflows of untreated sewage, runoff of animal excreta from nearby farms, or algal blooms triggered by high nutrient loads. 

Despite these challenges, these health risks can be assessed and managed such that waterside environments contribute to making people happy and healthy. WHO publishes guidelines for recreational water quality in two volumes:

• Guidelines for safe recreational water quality: Volume 1 coastal and fresh water
• Guidelines for safe recreational water environments – Volume 2 swimming pools and spas

 WHO also provides technical advice on the revision of national and regional recreational water regulations, such as advice given to the European Bathing Water Directive in 2018.

Volume 1 supersedes the 2003 Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments: Volume 1 coastal and fresh water.