Water Sanitation Health

Recreational, or bathing, waters

Recreational use of water can deliver important benefits to health and well-being. Yet, there may also be adverse health effects associated with recreational use if the water is polluted or unsafe.

WHO produces international norms on recreational water use and health in the form of Guidelines. The first edition of WHO Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments consists of two volumes:

Guidelines for safe recreational water environments

Provides a review and assessment of the health hazards encountered during recreational use of coastal and freshwater environments.
It includes the derivation of guideline values and explains the basis for the decision to derive or not to derive them.

  • Volume 2: Swimming pools and similar environments
    Provides a referenced review and assessment of the health hazards associated with recreational waters of this type; their monitoring and assessment; and activities available for their control through education of users, good design and construction, and good operation and management.

Related documents

Recent WSH publications