Before the weekend: where can you swim safely in Slovakia, and which bodies of water should you avoid?
The heat makes people want to cool off by the water, but not every body of water that looks clean is safe for your health. The Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic (ÚVZ SR) checks the water quality in natural and artificial bodies of water every year. The latest data from July 2026 shows that some popular swimming spots are best avoided.
Where to find information about water quality
The swimming season in Slovakia officially lasts from June 15 to September 15, 2026. During this period, the ÚVZ SR regularly updates an interactive map of water quality. You can check the condition of over 80 natural bodies of water, as well as 164 artificial swimming areas and 489 swimming pools on this map. We recommend checking this map before you go.
Dangerous bodies of water: what you should know
According to the latest laboratory analyses from July 2026, several bodies of water have shown dangerous concentrations of harmful substances. Swimming there is not recommended, especially for sensitive groups of people.
- Štrkovisko Čaňa near Košice: high levels of cyanobacteria and chlorophyll were recorded here.
- Vodná nádrž Lipovina – Bátovce (Lipovina water reservoir – Bátovce): increased levels of intestinal enterococci were found.
- Ružín (SKI): limits for intestinal enterococci were also exceeded.
- Rekreačná oblasť Gazárka Šaštín-Straže (Gazárka recreation area Šaštín-Straže): high levels of cyanobacteria and chlorophyll were recorded.
- Plážové kúpalisko Jazero v Košiciach (Jazero beach swimming area in Košice): the Regional Public Health Authority (RÚVZ) in Košice issued an official ban on swimming in this lake on July 23-24, 2026, due to significant levels of cyanobacteria.
Places with increased risk for sensitive groups:
In some bodies of water, the health risk is higher for children, pregnant women, people with allergies, and people with weakened immune systems. This is due to increased concentrations of cyanobacteria or chlorophyll-a, which indicates active water blooming.
- Vodná nádrž Duchonka (Duchonka water reservoir)
- Vinianske jazero (Vinianske lake)
- Jazero Malé Leváre (Malé Leváre lake)
- Plavecký Štvrtok
- Ružín (Počkaj Beach)
- Kunovská priehrada Sobotište (Kunovská dam Sobotište)
It is important to remember that even water that looks clear can contain dangerous bacteria. At the same time, low transparency is not always a threat. For example, the water in Kanianka, Izra, Krpáčovo Horná Lehota lake, and Tajch Nová Baňa water reservoir is cloudy, but according to the ÚVZ SR, it does not pose a health risk.
How to protect yourself and your family
Before you go to relax by the water, always check the latest information on the ÚVZ SR website. If you decide to swim in a body of water with a high-risk warning, or if you notice changes in the water (unusual color, smell), follow these recommendations:
- Avoid swallowing water.
- After swimming, be sure to take a shower.
- Pay special attention to children, so they do not play in cloudy water or near the shore where cyanobacteria can accumulate.
- If you or your children experience skin irritation, eye irritation, nausea, or other discomfort after swimming, see a doctor immediately.
Following these simple rules will help you avoid health problems and make your vacation safe. You can find the latest water quality data on the official website of the ÚVZ SR.
