July 2, 2004
The Ministry of the Environment announced that the water of 761 primary bathing beaches all over Japan maintained the quality required for bathing. This is the result of the water quality survey of primary bathing beaches conducted between the end of April and the beginning of June 2004 by prefectural governments and municipalities which were delegated the authority under the Water Pollution Control Law.
The targets of this survey were 761 bathing beaches (809 for 2003), which more than 10,000 people in case of sea and more than 5,000 people in case of lakes, reservoirs and rivers visited in the previous year. The items surveyed were the number of colon bacillus, oil slicks, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and transparency. Hydrogen ion concentration (pH) and Escherichia coliform bacillus "O-157" were also monitored as the reference items.
Summary of the Survey Result
The water quality at 605 bathing beaches or 80% of the total was rated AA or A which was found in excellent condition (677 beaches or 84% of the total in 2003). It fell below the previous year's level. Number of bathing beaches categorized as AA is 356 or 47% of the total, also falling below the previous year's figures (423 or 52% of the total in 2003). There is no bathing beach required remedial measures among those qualified B or C. The survey of Escherichia coliform bacillus "O-157" was also carried out at 721 bathing beaches and no place where the germ was detected.
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| * | Result of Water Quality Survey of Primary Bathing Beaches for FY 2003 and FY 2004 |
| * | Trends of Water Quality of Primary Bathing Beaches FY 2000 - FY 2004 |
| * | Water Quality Criteria for Bathing Beaches |