With schools about to shut down for the summer holidays and with so many people preparing to take some time off to spend at the beach, it is important to know that the sea-water we all swim in is clean.
A report that was published by the European Union recently indicated that in 2007, out of the 87 beaches that are constantly monitored for their water cleanliness, only four did not reach the standards.
The vast majority however not only met the EU’s minimum standards but also met the more onerous guide values set by the EU. The report takes into account sampling undertaken by the Maltese authorities over the last bathing season, between mid-May and mid-October last year.
The four beaches that did not qualify as having been fit for bathing – at least for part of the summer last year – were the left side of Marsalforn Bay, the stretch of the beach in Salina in front of the Coastline Hotel, and two parts of Balluta Bay, that is the area beneath the Neptunes pool and the sandy beach.
Balluta Bay was very much in the news all throughout the summer last year, as drainage problems in the area affected the cleanliness of the water for long stretches. The matter was even taken to court while the Malta Labour Party took the government to task on the matter too.
Thankfully, it seems that these problems have now been solved and, according to reports, the four beaches mentioned in the EU report this year no longer fall into the category of being unclean. It has however been pointed out that the beach close to the Bugibba Square was, at least for some time in the past days, unfit for bathing.
The sampling of seawater is an exercise that is carried out regularly over the summer season, and this enables the public to be sure that the beach they frequent is fit for bathing. If it is not, signs are installed to warn bathers and these are only removed when it is ascertained that the water is clean once again.
Yet, it is not only seawater that needs to be kept clean all throughout the summer. The beaches, whether rocky or sandy, should always be kept in spotless condition – and here is where the public comes into the equation.
People would be right to complain if the seawater is not clean because of drainage problems, over which they have no control. And they would be right to expect that the authorities take all the necessary action to solve any problems that crop up.
But the people also have responsibilities too. Apart from keeping the water clean, they should also make sure that the beaches they relax upon in between a dip and another are also spotlessly clean.
It happens too often that unwanted items such as wrappers, cigarette packets, plastic bags and other items are disposed of improperly on the beach (as in any other public place). It does not take much to dispose of such items in the appropriate waste bins that have been installed.
In most beaches, there are enough of these bins to make it so easy for bathers to make use of them. Generally speaking, they are also emptied regularly and therefore there is no excuse for people to just leave unwanted items on the rocks or sand.
The same goes for the remains of barbecues, which will become more popular in July and August. People should certainly have more civic sense so as to leave beaches as clean as possible after having spent some time there.
Or would they prefer to have local councils employing wardens to monitor the beaches and fine people who do not abide by the rules? It seems that, as a people, we only learn the hard way.