In Gelderland, two large outdoor pools have been closed due to exceeding the new standards. These are the Goffertbad in Nijmegen and the Klarenbeek swimming pool in Arnhem. According to the WiZZ swimming pool platform, this is a problem throughout the Netherlands: "Research shows that if strict enforcement is carried out, approximately 40% of swimming pools could face fines or even closure."
The WiZZ website (association for employers in swimming pools and swimming schools) provides an explanation of the situation:
Since January 1, 2025, new water quality standards have been in effect for swimming pools under the Environmental Act. These new parameters include those for bromate, chlorate, and hydrogen carbonate. The margins for existing parameters have been narrowed, meaning values are more likely to fall outside the standard. Although the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) has designated these parameters as potentially hazardous, the safety margin is substantial.
The United Swimming Industry Technicians (VTZ) has conducted research. It shows that, if strict enforcement is maintained, approximately 40% of swimming pools could face fines or even closure until they meet the standards. Remedial measures are sometimes expensive and difficult to implement, which has significant consequences for the price and accessibility of swimming facilities. This creates a paradox: Swimming pools are closed for safety reasons, making swimming impossible. This has consequences for health and swimming safety.
Consequences of water quality standards of the Environmental Act for swimming pools – WiZZ
The new European rules apply not only to large outdoor swimming pools, but also to indoor pools and smaller pools at campsites and holiday parks, for example.
There is a difference between provinces, but also between countries, in the strictness with which the rules are enforced. In Gelderland, two large swimming pools have now been closed. In Germany, according to an article in De Gelderlander , the new European guidelines are being handled much more leniently.
No immediate danger to public health
WiZZ points out that the newly discovered exceedances do not pose an immediate threat to public health. Evert Jan Siderius, chairman of WiZZ: "Everyone should be able to swim safely in their own environment. Strict application of the new rules puts that under pressure, even though some exceedances do not pose a significant health risk. We therefore advocate for a workable and consistent application of the standards so that swimming pools can remain open."
The websites of the now closed swimming pools also have a statement stating that the closure is primarily about avoiding a fine – and not about a dangerous situation.
Open-air swimming pool Klarenbeek Arnhem
- Due to new European laws and regulations, water quality will now be measured differently. Although the water quality remains as good as ever, the Province of Gelderland is responding to these changes. To avoid fines, we decided to temporarily close the swimming pool last Wednesday as a precaution.
Statement Goffertbad Nijmegen
- Last Friday, August 22nd, we closed the Goffertbad pool due to a chlorate level exceeding the permitted level. This did not endanger the health of our guests. Before the Goffertbad pool can safely reopen, we will have to drain it, refill it, and bring it up to temperature. In the meantime, we are checking all installations and continuing to investigate the cause of the exceedance. Unfortunately, we simply won't be able to open for any significant period before September 14th, the season closing date.
Pool technicians are looking for solutions
The swimming pool sector anticipated the problem. The Swimming Pool Industry Platform organized a Technical Congress on this topic in June 2025, which attracted over 200 interested parties. The reason: "The United Swimming Pool Technicians (VTZ) wanted to know exactly what the consequences of the new standards would be and delved into the data from nearly 100.000 measurements. Significant deviations were found, particularly in the concentrations of hydrogen carbonate, trihalomethane (THMs), chlorate, Legionella, and bromate. This could result in the closure of swimming pools."
During this conference, possible technical solutions and possible lobbying towards policymakers were also discussed.
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