Bathing Water Profile

PROFILE 28 BLUE LAGOON F’KEMMUNA

JUNE 2013

Brief description and importance of water profiles

This is one of a series of 29 profiles that Directorate. The monitoring period cover all 87 identified bathing waters of the corresponds with the official bathing Maltese Islands. Bathing water profiles are season that traditionally opens on the third established in accordance with Directive week of May and closes in the third week 2006/7/EC Article 6, regulation 11, and of October (National Statistics Office, Schedule III of the Regulations as 2004). transposed by Legal Notice 125 of 2008 and amended by Legal Notice 237 of 2011. Bathing water quality is classified according These regulations concern the to Directive 2006/7/EC as ‘excellent’, management of bathing water in relation to ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’ using the the reduction of gastroenteritis and other symbols shown in Figure 1 below. Water waterborne health risks originating from quality data from the European faecal sources and other routes of Commission was last updated in 2012 pollution. (Figure 2); the latest figures classify 96.6% of the Maltese Island’s bathing waters as of In essence, bathing water quality is excellent quality, with a very slight decline monitored for 23 weeks each year in when compared to the previous year different bathing areas in the Maltese (European Environmental Agency, 2012). Islands by the Environmental Health

Figure 1: Bathing water star classification from left to right: ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ and ‘poor’.

Excellent Quality Good Quality Sufficient Quality Poor Quality

Figure 2: Results of bathing water quality in Malta from 2005 to 2012

(European Environment Agency, 2012)

Bathing water profiles play an important Key information: role in addressing management issues and

in implementing more effective measures. · Bathing water name: Blue Lagoon The purpose of the bathing water profile is · Bathing water ID number: to help the bather make an informed MT0260262200000D21 choice. The profile gives information about · Location: Comino / Blue Lagoon the bathing water quality, including the · Year of Identification: 1996 potential pollution risks at the site and records the measures used to improve the · Local Council Areas: Għajnsielem quality of the bathing water. Description of bathing beaches: Predominant rocky coast composed of garrigue slopes and two eroded sandy In addition, information on the physical, beaches. One of the small sandy geographical and hydrological beaches is located on the uninhabited characteristics, together with a history of islet of Cominotto whilst the other water quality is provided in the overview beach of similar size is situated data section. This information is made eastwards on the island of Comino, available to the general public by means of opposite of the bathing water area. posters exhibited on site in accordance · Monitoring Points: One monitoring with the provisions of Regulation 16 of point (MT0260262200000D21) is used Legal Notice 125 of 2008 (amended by to test water quality from this bathing Legal Notice 237 of 2011). water as shown in Figure 3.

General description of bathing waters and surrounding areas

This bathing water is located in between Furthermore, the rocky coast and garrigue the islands of Comino and Cominotto, bordering the bathing water are considered which falls under the municipality of as a Special Protection Area under the Wild Għajnsielem in Gozo (Figure 3). The coastal Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) and form part area of Comino forms part of a Special Area of the Natura 2000 network. The terrestrial of Conservation of International area of Cominotto has the same Importance designated under the Habitats designations as its sister island Comino, Directive 92/43/EEC and Government with the addition that the islet is Notice 223 of 2005, as declared through considered as an Area of Ecological the provisions of the Flora, Fauna and Importance/Site of Scientific Importance Natural Habitats Regulations of 2006 (Legal under Government Notice 827 of 2002. Notice 311 of 2006, as amended).

Figure 3: Location of bathing water and monitoring point location

The shallow, transparent, cyan waters number of tourists and Maltese, especially which characterise the Blue Lagoon area during the summer season. Sea users in are amongst the most beautiful and the area surrounding the bathing water picturesque scenery in the Maltese Islands. include tour operators whose vessels link For this reason, the area attracts a large the sister islands to each other daily, from 3 fishing, yachting and diving. The terrestrial with public toilets and beach services such areas on Comino and Cominotto have as water sports and beach equipment conserved most of their natural context rentals are the only amenities offered on although there are still some anthropogenic this side of the island (Figure 4). influences. Several beach kiosks together

Figure 4: Blue Lagoon’s bathing water surrounding land uses

Marine life at the bathing waters and Figure 5: Rock and coral outcrops on the nearby areas is rich in biodiversity, Cominotto side of the Blue Lagoon including species such as tube worms, hermit crabs and cuttle fish, amongst many others (http://www.paradisediving.com/comino divesites.html). The seabed within the bathing water area is mainly composed of white sand with some rock and coral outcrops scattered on the Cominotto side of the swimming zone (Figure 5).

The surrounding landscape, forming part Figure 6: Landscape surrounding the Blue of the Maltese Island’s Natura 2000 Lagoon network, consists of a blend of garrigue and rocky shores (Figure 6), host to several fauna and flora that are characteristic of the area. The garrigue in Comino is characterised by the Maltese Shrubby Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis hermanniae subs. Melitensis), the Maltese Spurge (Euphorbia melitensis), Mediterranean Thyme (Thymus capitatus) and Olive-leaved Germander (Teucrium fruticans). The Maltese Wall Lizard (Podarcis filfolensis) is also commonly found on the island.

Bathing Water History

Official bathing water quality data, for the streptococci counts/100ml, and classified area at Blue Lagoon dates back to 1996. according to the Barcelona Convention Weekly tests, particularly during the Interim Criteria (BCIC) Site Classification for bathing season, have been carried out Faecal Coliforms Counts. During this time every year since at the monitoring point the water quality data was classified in shown in Figure 3. The site continues to be accordance with the Bathing Water regularly monitored by the Health Directive 76/160. Tests for this site Inspectorate Services within the conformed to both the EC requirements Environmental Health Directorate (EHD) as between 2005 and 2008 and to the BCIC part of its Bathing Water Monitoring classification. From 2009, the classification Programme. The Public Health Laboratory of water quality was based on the new EU Services (PHLS) within the Environmental Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC, which Health Directorate carry out all tests for involves measuring counts/100ml for microbiological parameters, as required Escherichia coli and Intestinal Enterococci. under the Management of Bathing Water The overall trend for water quality Quality Regulations, 2008 (L.N. 125 of 2008 classification at Blue Lagoon under EU as amended by L.N. 237 of 2011). Directive 2006/7/EC was ‘Excellent’. Table 1 below describes how bathing waters are Since 1996, water quality was tested for defined while Table 2 provides a summary faecal coliforms counts/100ml, total of water quality classification for the period coliforms counts/100ml, and faecal 2009 to 2012:

Table 1: Classification of Bathing Waters

2006/7/EC Classification

Based on four years data

Excellent Good Sufficient Escherichia coli (cfu/100 ml) < 250 quality < 500 quality > 500 quality

Intestinal Enterococci (cfu/100 Excellent Good Sufficient ml) < 100 quality < 200 quality > 200 quality

Table 2: Water quality classification at the monitoring point (2009-2012)

2012 2006/7/EC Classification

Based on four years data

Bathing Intestinal Overall Water ID Year Escherichia coli Enterococci Classification Number

2012 E xcellent Quality D21 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2011 D21 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2010

D21 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2009

D21 Excellent Excellent Excellent

Note that ‘D21’ is a direct reference to MT0260262200000D21. The data tabulated above and further information is available at the Ministry for Health website (https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/public_health/environmental- health/health_inspectorate/env._hlt._risk_management/envhealth_bathingwater09.aspx).

Sources of Pollution

Since the coastal area abutting the bathing during the summer months, there is litter water is predominantly rocky coast and no discarded on the bare garrigue slopes. significant anthropogenic activities are Given the slope of the land towards the present in the bathing water area, pollution sea, storm water run-off could carry litter from land based sources is very limited. from popular areas such as the Blue Lagoon The area is used for some recreational itself (Figure 7). However these are activities such as fishing, trekking and unlikely to affect the bathing water quality yachting. Due to these activities and also since the summer season is relatively dry. because the area is visited by several hundreds of people each day especially

Figure 7: Discharges to bathing water at Blue Lagoon

As described above, the area is used private vessels. Possible marine discharges extensively by sea craft including some from sea craft anchored in these areas areas not so distant away from the official might discharge solid waste which then confined bathing area. In these areas space might end up on the shore. is allocated for mooring of commercial and

Mitigation Measures

Since the coastal area abutting the which refers to the Management of bathing water is protected under the Bathing Water Quality Regulations, 2008. Habitats Directive as a Special Area of Pet owners are also prohibited from Conservation of International Importance taking pets such as dogs on sandy beaches and is part of the Natura 2000 network, it at any time. However, these animals may is likely that as part of the management be taken on rocky beaches, provided that plan that is being drawn up for Comino the pets do not cause any nuisance to there would be several mitigation other bathers and animal fouling is measures in order to safeguard the cleaned by their owners. environmental integrity of the area. Several waste receptacles are already Figure 8: Waste bins abutting the bathing present around the bathing water area waters (Figure 8); hence bathers and visitors are encouraged to make correct use of such waste bins and stream waste by type. Signage indicating that barbeques are prohibited in the area is distributed along several points.

Domesticated animals may not be taken into the sea at the official bathing zones as regulated by Legal Notice 125 of 2008

Assessment for the potential proliferation of Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) require a there is no major source of pollution which nutrient rich body of water, light and high indicates the possibility of sewage temperatures. Sources of these nutrients overflows in the area and the surrounding can be multiple, including diffuse land- landscape comprises natural areas. In view based activities such as agricultural of the above it is unlikely that there is the practices, animal husbandry and domestic potential for the proliferation of sewage production. As discussed above, cyanobacteria within the bathing water.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation of macro-algae and/or phytoplankton

Phytoplankton growth depends on carbon carried out in the bathing water area at the dioxide, nitrates, phosphates and silicic Blue Lagoon. However, given the context acid. Sources of these nutrients can be of the surrounding landscape and land uses multiple, including diffuse land-based in the area, the bathing water at the Blue activities such as agricultural practices, Lagoon is not currently at risk of animal husbandry and domestic sewage proliferation of macro-algae or production. No tests recording parameters phytoplankton. of these chemicals seem to have been

What should one do if a pollution incident is noticed?

If one sees a water pollution incident, you quality of official bathing areas, an should immediately contact the immediate investigation is instigated by the Environmental Health Directorate through Environmental Health Officers. All possible the Automated Telephone System, which is sources of pollution within the area are operated 24 hours. Phone: 21827146 checked together with the relevant Competent Authorities. In addition, a Or by calling the Environmental Health resample will be collected to monitor Directorate during Office Hours: whether the beach is still polluted. Phone: 21337333 Bathing waters may be closed by the Or After Office Hours / Weekends / Public Environmental Health Directorate in Holidays: accordance with the provisions of Legal Notice 125 of 2008, Regulation 7, until the Malta – 79509918 Gozo – 79509919 water quality has improved and levels of bacteria are within mandatory standards in When a pollution incident is reported or accordance to the provisions of Regulation pollution is found to be affecting the water 8 of the same legal notice.

General Contact Details:

Address:

Environmental Health Directorate Health Inspectorate Services

Continental Business Centre

Triq il-Ferrovija,

Santa Venera, SVR 9018 Malta.

Telephone: +356 21337333

Fax: +356 21344767

Email: [email protected] [email protected]

URL: https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/public_health/environmental- health/health_inspectorate/env._hlt._risk_management/envhealth_bathingwater09.aspx

References:

European Environment Agency (2012). Bathing water results 2012 – Malta.

National Statistics Office (2004). Bathing water quality in the Maltese Islands., News Release 131/2004. Valletta: Library and Information Unit, National Statistics Office.

Version Control

Version Next review Date: Comments: number: due:

28.1 June 2013