In 2011, one coastal bathing area met only the minimum water standards, while the quality of river and lake waters remained the same.

In 2011, 13 bathing areas met the recommended water quality standards, while in 2012 the figure dropped to nine.

No bathing area had to be closed for poor water quality in 2011 or in 2012 in Slovenia.

However, visitors had to pay entrance fee on some of the Slovenian beaches, and some coastal municipalities are mulling to reintroduce beach entrance fees again this season.

But Jana Miklavčič of the Environment Inspectorate told the press today that this was against the law.

Access to waters, which are a public good, must be enabled to everyone under the same conditions regardless of the ownership of the near-by land, she noted.

Fines for companies charging for beach entrance range from EUR 4,000 to EUR 125,000, Miklavčič added.

The EU's report on water quality scrutinised over 22,000 bathing areas in the 27 EU members plus Croatia and Switzerland and found best water quality in Cyprus and Luxembourg. Above average water quality also have Malta, Croatia, Greece, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Finland and Spain.