THE BLUE FLAG PROGRAMME / Beach criteria /

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION

• Information relating to coastal zone ecosystems and natural, sensitive areas in the coastal zone must be displayed.
  
• Information about bathing water quality must be displayed.
  
• Information about the Blue Flag Programme must be displayed.
  
• Code of conduct for the beach area must be displayed and the laws governing beach use must be easily available to the public upon request.
  
• A minimum of 5 environmental education activities must be offered.
  

WATER QUALITY

• Compliance with the requirements and standards for excellent bathing water quality.
  
• No industrial or sewage related discharges may affect the beach area.
  
• Compliance of the community with requirements for sewage treatment and effluent quality.
  
• Algae or other vegetation should be left to decay on the beach unless it constitutes a nuisance.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

• A beach management committee must be established to be in charge of instituting environmental management systems and conduct regular environmental audits of the beach facility.
  
• The beach must comply with all regulations affecting the location and operation of the beach (coastal zone planning and environmental legislation).
  
• The beach must be clean.
  
• Waste disposal bins/receptacles must be available on/by the beach in adequate numbers, regularly maintained and emptied.
  
• Facilities for receiving recyclable waste materials must be available on/by the beach.
  
• Adequate and clean sanitary facilities with controlled sewage disposal.
• On the beach there will be no unauthorised camping or driving and no dumping.
• Regulation concerning dogs and other domestic animals on the beach must be strictly enforced.
  
• All buildings and equipment of the beach must be properly maintained.
  
• Sustainable means of transportation must be promoted in the beach area.

SAFETY AND SERVICES

• An adequate number of lifeguards and/or lifesaving equipment must be available at the beach.
  
• First aid equipment must be available on the beach.
  
• There must be management of different users and uses of the beach so as to prevent conflicts and accidents.
  
• An emergency plans to cope with pollution safety risks must be in place.
  
• There must be safe access to the beach.
  
• A supply of potable drinking water must be available on the beach.
  
• A minimum of one Blue Flag beach in each municipality must have access and toilet facilities provided for disabled persons.
  
• Map of the beach indicating different facilities must be displayed.
  

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