Italy Risks Beach Closures Over Dissolved Oxygen Limits Without New Derogations

Italy, the country of derogations. As every year, the request for a derogation to the limit values established by a decree from 1982 for the parameter of dissolved oxygen is renewed. The deadlines expire on April 1st, the date when sampling by ASL (Local Health Authorities) usually begins for the quality of bathing waters.

For Lake Garda, if no derogation to Law 185 of 1993 is granted, there is a risk that a large part of the beaches will be prohibited for bathing, precisely due to the dissolved oxygen parameter, even though this parameter is not an indicator of danger to human health. The other day, Senator Massimo Wilde wrote to Undersecretary of Health Ombretta Fumagalli Carulli, asking her to arrange the request for a derogation before sanctions are applied.

Responses and consequences of the derogations

“Otherwise,” warns the Lega parliamentarian, “the consequences on the economy as well as on the environmental and tourist image of Italian seaside resorts (not only those on Garda) would be severe.” In fact, in the absence of the legislative basis, i.e., the derogation, numerous coastal stretches, not just lacustrine, will most likely have to be closed.

The story, however, repeats itself: at the start of each season, a legal provision must be used to “free” Garda from this constraint. Perhaps, say administrators, it would suffice to finally enact a definitive regulation.