Baltijas Jūra, Peldvieta "Vārzas"

14.9°C Water temp · Jun 8

Latvia Coastal 2 - Good 14.9°C

Satellite image of BALTIJAS JŪRA, PELDVIETA "VĀRZAS" — Satellite image © Esri

Vārzas beach bathing water is located in Riga, Latvia, and is classified as a bathing site subject to official water quality monitoring under EU Directive 2006/7/EK. The bathing water profile includes detailed analysis of physical, geographical, hydrological and coastal characteristics of Riga Bay. Water quality is assessed based on microbiological criteria including E. coli and intestinal enterococci levels, and consideration of cyanobacterial blooms.

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Water

Baltic Sea coastal waters in Riga Bay. The bathing water is part of the coastal zone with hydrological characteristics specific to the Gulf of Riga and subject to water framework directive classifications.

Location

Vārzas beach, Riga, Latvia. The bathing site is officially designated and included in Latvia's list of 59 official bathing sites established under Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 692 of 28 November 2017.

Season

Official monitoring and swimming season follows the bathing season calendar, with quality assessment conducted over a four-year period (four previous bathing seasons) for long-term classification.

Water Quality

Water quality classification is based on microbiological indicators: E. coli and intestinal enterococci counts. Excellent quality threshold: E. coli ≤250 CFU/100 ml, enterococci ≤100 CFU/100 ml. Good quality threshold: E. coli ≤500 CFU/100 ml, enterococci ≤200 CFU/100 ml. Adequate quality threshold: E. coli ≤500 CFU/100 ml (90th percentile), enterococci ≤185 CFU/100 ml (90th percentile). Swimming is prohibited if E. coli exceeds 3000 CFU/100 ml or enterococci exceed 500 CFU/100 ml. Swimming is not recommended if E. coli ranges 1000–3000 CFU/100 ml or enterococci range 300–500 CFU/100 ml. Cyanobacterial blooms may prohibit swimming.

Risks

Potential point-source pollution impacts on water quality. Eutrophication factors and cyanobacterial bloom development are assessed. Land use types in the coastal zone and wastewater discharge from non-connected populations are identified as risk factors.