Recreational use of water can have major benefits for health and well-being. From children playing in a river to families relaxing on a beach, from people taking part in water sports to observing waterside nature, all shapes and sizes of bodies – be they oceans, lakes or rivers – of water can uplift the spirit and enhance physical and mental well-being. Clean, well-managed waterfronts are also a focal point for communities and an economic draw for tourist and sporting events.

Yet, human activity and climate change are impacting the quality and safety of our waterways. Popular swimming locations may become contaminated by overflows of untreated sewage, runoff of animal excreta from nearby farms, or algal blooms triggered by high nutrient loads. Some sites may also be affected by chemical pollution from industrial activities or become polluted by beach users themselves though poor sanitation and litter. This contamination erodes the benefits to well-being and economic potential of the site, as well as potentially causing illness for water users.

In order to make waterside environments safe and fun for all users, now and in the future, these health risks must be carefully assessed and managed.

This update to the guidelines for safe recreational water environments provides health-based guidance for setting national water quality standards and implementing preventive risk management at the local level. Risk management approaches monitor and reduce sources of pollution, including tools to let users know in real time when it is safe to swim.

The guidelines should be implemented in conjunction with management of other beach-related health risks such as drowning and sun exposure and balanced against measures to protect native ecosystems.

Through implementation of these guidelines, we can all play a part to ensure that happy memories are made at the beach, the lake, and the river for generations to come.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Director-General
World Health Organization