by MK
Friuli Venezia Giulia has ranked second in Italy for bathing water quality, according to newly released data from Italy’s National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA), underscoring the region’s strong environmental performance ahead of the summer tourist season.
The northeastern region trailed only Puglia in the national rankings, with a difference of just 0.3 percentage points. The findings come as Italy as a whole continues to report high standards for coastal waters, with 94.9 percent of the country’s marine bathing waters classified as “excellent.”
Regional officials attributed the result to sustained investments in water treatment infrastructure and environmental protection measures. Fabio Scoccimarro, the regional councillor for Environment, Energy and Sustainable Development, said the ranking reflects years of work to improve wastewater treatment systems in collaboration with local water service operators.
According to Scoccimarro, the region has focused on modernizing and expanding purification facilities while maintaining a comprehensive monitoring system designed to detect and address potential issues quickly.
Water quality data are collected and published by the Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia (Arpa FVG), which conducts regular sampling and monitoring throughout the bathing season. If unfavorable results are recorded at any testing site, technicians carry out additional sampling and continue monitoring until water quality returns to required standards.
Early results from the 2025 bathing season have also been encouraging. Samples collected in April, May and the first weeks of June have confirmed the high quality of the region’s waters, according to regional authorities.
The ranking is likely to provide a boost to Friuli Venezia Giulia’s tourism sector as visitors begin arriving at popular seaside destinations along the Adriatic coast. Local officials say maintaining water quality remains a priority both for public health and for the long-term protection of the region’s coastal environment.
With the summer season now underway, residents and tourists can expect continued monitoring of beaches and bathing areas, part of an effort to preserve one of the region’s most valuable natural assets.
