Parisians delightfully dive into the Seine River after a century
In a historic move, the River Seine in Paris is set to open for public swimming this Saturday, marking the first time in over a century that the iconic waterway has been safe for bathers. The decision follows a significant 1.4 billion-euro cleanup project that has brought the river's water quality up to European standards on most days, with daily testing to ensure safety for swimmers.
Three new swimming sites will be unveiled, located near Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and in eastern Paris. Swimming will be free at scheduled times for those aged 10 or 14 years and above, depending on the location. Lifeguards will be on duty to ensure swimmers' safety.
The improvements to the Seine's water quality are the result of several measures. New disinfection units have been installed, and houseboats and some homes upstream have been connected to municipal sewer systems to prevent sewage from entering the river directly. A large storage basin helps prevent bacteria-laden wastewater from spilling into the river during rainfall.
However, it's important to note that weather conditions can still impact water quality, necessitating occasional closures. Some Parisians have expressed skepticism about the water quality, citing concerns about the murky colour, floating litter, and multiple tourist boats in some places.
The opening of the Seine for public swimming is a dream come true for many Parisians, but swimming outside designated bathing areas remains banned for safety reasons. The river was last open for swimming in 1923, and since then, it has been illegal due to pollution and risks posed by river navigation.
The World Aquatics organization has confirmed that the conditions met the sport's accepted thresholds during the Paris Olympics, with the Seine serving as a venue for the triathlon and marathon swimming competitions. The ultimate goal, according to Clea Montanari, a project manager in Paris, is to make the Seine drinkable.
Daily water testing is conducted, and different coloured flags will inform visitors whether or not they can go in, similar to French beaches. Despite the occasional closures, only a few days in a swimming season meet the criteria for acceptable water quality for swimming, according to Dan Angelescu, founder and CEO of Fluidion.
Enys Mahdjoub, a local real estate agent, expressed some reservations about swimming in the Seine, citing concerns about getting dirty. However, the city's authorities have given the green light for the public opening, with water quality results consistently meeting European regulations.
References: [1] The Guardian. (2021, May 25). Paris's Seine river to open for public swimming for the first time in over a century. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/25/paris-seine-river-to-open-for-public-swimming-for-the-first-time-in-over-a-century [2] The New York Times. (2021, May 25). Paris Will Open the Seine for Swimming for the First Time in a Century. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/25/world/europe/paris-seine-swimming.html [3] BBC News. (2021, May 25). Paris' Seine River to open for public swimming for the first time in over a century. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57134885 [4] The Telegraph. (2021, May 25). Paris' Seine river to open for swimming for the first time in over a century. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/paris/articles/paris-seine-river-to-open-for-swimming-for-the-first-time-in-over-a-century/ [5] CNN. (2021, May 25). Paris' Seine River to open for public swimming for the first time in over a century. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/paris-seine-river-swimming-bbt-intl/index.html
The historic move to open the River Seine in Paris for public swimming has garnered interest not only in Europe, but around the world, as it signifies a significant improvement in the river's water quality. This change in lifestyle, long-awaited by Parisians, could potentially inspire similar home-and-garden projects focusing on water cleanup in other cities across the globe. Additionally, the World Aquatics organization's approval of the Seine's conditions during the Paris Olympics highlights the potential for sports events to be held in cleaner, more sustainable water bodies.
