Sea, sampling on the entire coast: only four points over the limits – Pescara

PESCARA. Excellent for long stretches, swimmable for almost all of the 126 kilometres: the Abruzzo coast is passed with flying colours, albeit with some reservations.
A few weeks before the start of the bathing season, the results of the analyzes carried out by the Regional Agency for the Protection of the Environment (Arta) to safeguard the health of bathers in the waters of the middle Adriatic, have highlighted microbiological parameters almost all compliant with the limits of law.
Overall, a markedly improving trend compared to the previous year with +0.6% of kilometers of coastline and 91 monitoring points in the “excellent” class. Eleven points are classified as good, 5 sufficient and 6 poor. The control and monitoring work conducted by Arta Abruzzo arises from a community directive which establishes the rules for the classification of bathing water into the four quality classes (excellent, good, sufficient and poor). The microbiological parameters on which monitoring is based are the concentrations of Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci, bacteria considered indicators of faecal contamination.
The percentages reported refer to the total waters monitored, thus excluding those not subject to monitoring, for example the stretches of sea hosting ports, military easements and protected areas. From the analyzes carried out at the beginning of the week, few critical issues emerged and all close to the mouths of rivers, canals and canals. There were 113 monitoring points checked, established by the regional calendar for verifying hygienic-sanitary conditions just under a month from the start of the seaside activity scheduled for next May 1st. Four non-conformities were detected: in Pescara, in the area in front of Via Leopardi; in Francavilla, in correspondence with via Tosti, on the corner of via Cattaro and 350 meters south of the Alento river; finally, in Rocca San Giovanni, the area in front of km 484.6 of State Road 16.
However, there are 3 stretches of coast prohibited for bathing for the entire season: the first two near Ortona, 350 meters south of the mouth of the Forum and 200 meters south of the mouth of the Arielli river. The third point closed to swimmers, however, is located in San Vito Chietino, 100 meters north of the mouth of the Feltrino river. There are just as many points that are prohibited, but only temporarily, whose monitoring by the environmental agency, during the next few months, carried out on a fortnightly rather than monthly basis, will establish whether the conditions exist for restoring the suitability of the waters. The stretches of coast sub judice they are in Pescara, in the area in front of via Leopardi, in Rocca San Giovanni, the area in front of km 484.6 of state road 16 and in Vasto, on the Cordella “Monument to the Bather” seafront.
From May to September all points, with the exception of the three permanent bans, will be examined and the stretches of sea which, due to analytical results that do not comply with the law, are found to be unsuitable for bathing will be monitored more frequently. In particular, the activities will be aimed at verifying whether, following restoration and reclamation interventions, these areas will be able to be used by bathers again in the future.
The analyzes also reveal a very high level of water quality in the Abruzzo lakes. The data from the samples taken on Lake Scanno reconfirm the “excellent” class in all 5 monitoring points. Lake Barrea reconfirms the “good” class for the point called “in front of Gravare” and “excellent” for the point “in front of Convento”. For the point called “in front of Colle Ciglio” there is, however, a progressive improvement which promotes it to the “sufficient” class.
«Overall», states the general director Arta, Maurizio Dionisio, «the quality of the Abruzzo sea tends towards excellence and the small number of critical issues confirms a constantly growing trend in recent years. The classification in the top 90% of marine areas used for bathing”, continues Dionisio, “is particularly important in view of the next tourist season, as it promotes the water and beaches of Abruzzo with flying colors in view of the summer season. Despite the constant improvement of the sea recorded in recent years”, concludes director Arta, “there are, however, some critical issues, especially near the mouths of rivers and, often, in the case of heavy rains which can compromise management systems of waste water”.
Like every year, the results of the analyzes carried out on bathing water will be inserted monthly in the “Bathing water portal” of the Ministry of Health and can be consulted by all citizens through the website web www.portaleacque.salute.gov.it for the entire duration of the season. They can also be consulted through the website ofAgency www.artaabruzzo.it. (uc)
©ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.