For the first time in more than 100 years, both Parisians and tourists could return to immersein the midst of overwhelming heat that plagues Europe in a summer that recorded record temperatures. This historic opening occurs after an ambitious sanitation project of 1400 million euros (US $ 1500 million), promoted within the framework of the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
From this Saturday, three bathrooms will be enabled in different parts of the French capital: one close to the Notre Dame Cathedral, another next to the Eiffel Tower and a third in the East of Paris. Until now, bathing in SENA was illegal since 1923 – except specific exceptions – due to pollution and risk that represents the intense river navigation. For security reasons, It continues to do it outside the authorized areas.
The Parisian authorities finally gave the green light to the recreational use of the SENA, after verifying that the water quality complies with the standards required by European regulations.
Daily monitoring and visual signals
Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris, explained that the water is analyzed daily to ensure safe conditions for the bathroom. As in the beaches, colored flags will be used to inform the public: “Green means that water quality is good. Red means that it is not good or that there is too much current,” he explained.
The tests began in June and, so far, only two episodes with adverse results were recorded, due to the rains and the contamination caused by boats. “I can’t predict how many days we will have to close this summer, but water quality seems better than last year”Rabadan said. “We are in a natural environment … So the variations in weather conditions necessarily have an impact.”
From World Aquatics they supported the initiative: “The legacy of these efforts is already evident, with the Seine now open to public swimming, a positive example of how sport can generate long -term community benefits,” they expressed in a statement sent to The Associated Press.
Doubts persist
Not everyone shares the enthusiasm for the reopening of SENA to the public. The founder and CEO of the water monitoring company Fluidion – based in Paris and Los Angeles -, Dan Angelescu, has been carrying out independent analysis of the bacteriological quality of the river. Although the levels comply with current regulations, he warned on limitations in the official measurement system.
“What we observe is that the quality of water in the Seine is very variable”he said. “There are only a few days in the bathing season in which I would say that water quality is acceptable to swim.” And he concluded: “We can only say: Current science does not support the current water safety evaluation used in the rivers that surround Parisand we believe that there is an important risk that is not being detected at all. ”
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AP
The bathing areas will work until the end of August, with free admission at certain schedules and age restrictions: it is required to be at least 10 or 14 years old, depending on the place. There will be lifeguards available to attend bathers.
“It’s an opportunity, a dream come true,” said Clea Montanari, project director in the city. “It would be a dream If Sena became drinkable; That would be the ultimate goal, right? But swimming is really good. ”
Source: Ambito
