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River Seine’s Water Safety Remains a Concern Ahead of Paris Olympics

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Weeks before the Olympic Games in Paris, the River Seine is still unsafe for swimming on most days due to high levels of E. Coli bacteria, according to official data. Testing at Alexandre III Bridge, the planned start for the triathlon events, showed E. Coli levels were above acceptable limits on 22 out of 30 days from June 3 to July 2, potentially risking athletes’ health.

Despite these findings, authorities are optimistic. Antoine Guillou, Deputy Mayor of Paris, noted that recent weather improvements have led to better water quality. Mayor Anne Hidalgo even announced plans to swim in the Seine next week to demonstrate its suitability for the Olympics.

However, rainfall continues to cause E. Coli spikes. On June 30, following rain, E. Coli levels at Alexandre III Bridge reached around 2000 CFU/100mL, double the threshold for “good” water quality set by World Triathlon standards. If E. Coli levels exceed 1000 CFU/100mL, the swimming portion of the triathlon will be canceled unless deemed safe by the organization’s medical committee.

Efforts to clean the Seine include a new rainwater storage basin, operational since June, which can hold water equivalent to 20 Olympic pools. This basin prevented 40,000 m³ of wastewater and rainwater from entering the Seine after rain on June 17 and 18. Yet, E. Coli levels still reached 10,000 CFU/100mL on the second day of rain.

Fluidion, a technology company, has shown significant improvement in water quality since early April, despite occasional spikes. Paris 2024 has contingency plans for postponing events or moving marathon swimming to an alternative venue if necessary.

Authorities remain cautiously optimistic, attributing improvements to better weather and ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at reducing pollution. They stress the need for vigilance due to the unpredictable weather and potential for future rain-related contamination.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

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Paris Reintroduces Swimming in the Seine River After a Century

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With one year left until the Olympics, Paris is in the final stages of an unprecedented cleanup effort, paving the way for swimmers and divers to return to the River Seine. Swimming in the Seine had been prohibited for a century due to its polluted waters, but a successful €1.4bn regeneration project has changed the landscape. The upcoming Games will feature three Olympic and Paralympic events taking place in the Seine, and by 2025, three open-air swimming areas will be accessible from the quayside.

The city’s river quality had deteriorated over the years due to industrial sewage and a growing population, leading to a decline in aquatic life. One of the main challenges was the outdated drainage system, which combined used water from kitchens and bathrooms with sewage from toilets. However, improvements in the last two decades have already significantly reduced the presence of harmful bacteria in the river.

To address the remaining issue, a vast underground reservoir has been constructed to store runoff during heavy rains, preventing it from directly entering the Seine. This will enable the river to be officially classified as clean and safe for public bathing.

In addition to fish returning to the Seine, including some reintroduced by angling associations, the river’s ecosystem has seen a positive transformation with the resurgence of molluscs, aquatic insects, sponges, and crayfish. Although some concerns remain about rats in the city, studies have shown that the amount of leptospirosis bacteria is not abnormally high.

With the successful cleanup efforts, Mayor Anne Hidalgo has revealed three spots along the Seine that will be open for public bathing from summer 2025, allowing both fish and humans to reclaim their place in the revitalized river.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright