by InTrieste
Interview: FVG councilor for tourism, Sergio Bini
Just in time for the start of the summer season, Friuli Venezia Giulia has something to celebrate: it ranks second in Italy for the quality of its bathing waters, according to a national report presented this week by the National Environmental Protection System.
A remarkable 99.6 percent of the region’s coastal bathing areas have been classified as “excellent,” just behind Puglia, which leads the national ranking at 99.7 percent. The national average stands at 98.6 percent.
“It’s a great way to start the summer,” said Sergio Bini, Regional Councillor for Tourism. “I must say, the data from the first four months is absolutely encouraging. Promoturismo reports show positive signs across all locations compared to the already good year of 2024. Even in Trieste, if I recall correctly, we’re up 14.2 percent in the first four months.”
The classification is the result of four years of monitoring by environmental agencies across Italy. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, ARPA (the Regional Environmental Protection Agency) collects water samples from over 60 sites, including the region’s 70.5 kilometers of Adriatic coastline as well as inland lakes and rivers like Sauris, Cavazzo, the Tagliamento, and select mountain streams.
Samples are taken monthly during the bathing season and analyzed for concentrations of Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci—two key microbiological indicators of water quality. Only 300 meters of coastline were classified as “good” rather than “excellent,” and inland waters fared just as well, with 21 kilometers of rivers and lakes awarded the top rating.
Importantly, the analysis does not include areas permanently closed to swimming, such as port zones, river mouths, military areas, and marine reserves.
Overall, Italian waters remain among the cleanest in Europe, with more than 90 percent of swimming areas nationwide rated as either “excellent” or “good.”
With sun, sea, and science all pointing in the right direction, Friuli Venezia Giulia appears poised for another strong summer tourism season—one where both locals and visitors can dive in with confidence.
