A good three weeks before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, the water quality of the Seine is now sufficient to organize swimming and triathlon competitions as planned. The quality of the water has now improved and meets European standards, according to the report prepared by the city and region for the week from June 24 to July 2, as reported by French media.
The previous week, the water quality was still inadequate due to high rainfall and low temperatures. However, the Olympic organizers had always stressed that they expected the water quality to be good once summer weather with high temperatures and less rain took over. This is because higher temperatures and a lower water level in the Seine mean that pathogens are broken down more quickly.
Billions invested in water quality
In order to improve the water quality in the river with a view to the Games and also in the long term, around 1.4 billion euros have been invested in sewage treatment plants and the sewage system in the greater Paris area. This includes a retention basin that has just been put into operation. This can prevent the discharge of sewage into the Seine in the event of heavy rain, which has previously been the case in such weather conditions.
In addition to the contamination with pathogens, which was a problem until recently, the current is currently too strong, according to the German swimming coach Bernd. “As things stand, it would not be possible to hold the event in the Seine because the current speed is two meters per second. You can go downstream quickly, but you can’t go back.”
In the event that the conditions are not adequate, Berkhahn would like to see an alternative for the open water competitions. “The organizers should definitely have a plan B,” he said. However, the organizers have repeatedly stressed that there is no alternative to holding the competitions in the Seine.
