Seine River Pollution Threatens Paris Olympics – National Update

High Water Pollution Levels in River Seine Threaten Paris Olympics

Concerns Over Water Quality

The water pollution levels in Paris’s River Seine are currently much higher than the permitted levels for bathing, according to recent data. This comes just one month before the Olympics, where the river is set to be a key venue for swimming events.

Data Analysis

Recent data published on the city’s website indicates that concentrations of enterococci and E.coli bacteria are consistently above legal thresholds at all testing points along the river. For instance, at the planned triathlon swimming site at the Alexandre III bridge, enterococci levels exceeded the permissible limit by more than double, with E.coli levels also significantly higher.

Weather Impact

Water pollution levels tend to spike during periods of heavy rain, which have led to a sixfold increase in the flow of the river compared to its seasonal average in recent weeks, as stated by Paris’s mayoral service on the website.

According to Pierre Rabadan, the city’s deputy mayor for sports, the increase in pollution levels can be mainly attributed to historic rainfall in May and June. However, he remains optimistic that with improving weather conditions, pollution levels will return to normal summer levels.

Future Outlook

Rabadan emphasized that consistent and prolonged rainfall could lead to further concerns, but he anticipates significant improvement in the upcoming weeks. Paris has been actively working on cleaning up the Seine to ensure safe swimming conditions for the public, reminiscent of the 1900 Paris Olympics.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, a strong advocate for cleaning up the river, had to postpone her planned swim in the Seine due to political engagements, but remains committed to the cause.

Overall, while challenges remain, efforts are ongoing to address the water pollution issue in the River Seine before the start of the Olympics.

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