The Republican Hygiene and Epidemiology Center (RHEC) of the Ministry of Health is conducting ongoing monitoring at the country's public recreational beaches to assess compliance with sanitary standards and to evaluate seawater quality in preparation for the 2026 spring-summer season. The Ministry of Health has released a statement to this effect.
According to the ministry, seawater quality control has been conducted on a monthly basis since the beginning of the year. Starting from May, the frequency of monitoring has been increased and is now carried out on a weekly basis. Seawater samples collected are examined in the laboratories of the Republican Hygiene and Epidemiology Center for physical-chemical and microbiological parameters.
Throughout the recreational season, seawater samples are also tested at the laboratories of the Center for Control of Especially Dangerous Infections, particularly for the surveillance of dangerous infectious diseases.
Laboratory analyses conducted have revealed that seawater samples taken in some areas do not comply with existing sanitary norms and regulations in terms of chemical and microbiological indicators.
The monitoring has detected deviations from normative requirements in seawater quality indicators at beaches in the Türkan settlement of Baku's Khazar district, Hövsan settlement of Surakhani district, Shikh settlement of Sabail district, Sahil settlement of Garadagh district, as well as at beaches in the Aşağı Nüvədi settlement of Lankaran city, Sütəmürdov village, Kiçik Bazar residential area, and the Niyazoba area of Khachmaz district — due to contamination of the sanitary protection zones of those beaches with waste and sewage water.
In order to address the current situation and protect public health, the Republican Hygiene and Epidemiology Center, pursuant to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Sanitary-Epidemiological Safety," has decided to temporarily restrict the use of seawater for swimming purposes at the aforementioned beaches and at illegal beach areas within those zones.
In connection with the implementation of these decisions, the Baku City Executive Authority, Lankaran City Executive Authority, Khachmaz District Executive Authority, the relevant police bodies, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and its regional structures, as well as the relevant structures of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency have been notified.
The Ministry of Health recommends that citizens use only authorized beaches, follow official updates, and comply with the restrictions in place.
The state sanitary service will continue monitoring throughout the beach season and will regularly inform the public about the results.