Paris-2024: NGO warns about the state of the water in the River Seine – 04/08/2024 – Sport

Almost a hundred days before the Paris Olympic Games, the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) Surfrider Foundation warned this Monday (8) about the “alarming” state of the waters of the River Seine — where several events are expected to be held — based on a six-month sampling.

Of the 14 measurements carried out between the end of September 2023 and the end of March 2024 at the height of the Alexandre 3º and Alma bridges, 13 were “above or much above” the recommended limits for bathing.

A 2006 European guideline and the swimming and triathlon federations establish maximum concentration limits of two bacteria indicative of fecal contamination, suitable to allow the development of events.

The limits for these bacteria should not exceed one thousand colony forming units (CFU) per 100 ml in the case of Escherichia coli and 400 CFU/100 ml for enterococci.

The analyzes carried out by Surfrider, in collaboration with the Eau de Paris laboratory and Analy-Co, show concentrations of E. coli exceeding one thousand CFU/100 ml and enterococci at 500 CFU/100 ml.

Both recorded a peak on February 7 under the Alma Bridge, at 7,250 and 1,190, respectively. However, the period analyzed is not part of the period foreseen to authorize bathing in the River Seine, reserved for the summer months.

Another analysis sent to AFP by Paris City Hall at the beginning of 2024 also demonstrated that, between June and September 2023, at this authorized station, none of the 14 test points reached a sufficient quality level.

Faced with these “alarming” results, Surfrider expressed its “growing concern about the quality of the waters of the Seine” and highlighted the “risks” faced by athletes and local inhabitants if they swim in the contaminated water.

Ana Marcela Cunha asks for “plan B”

In an interview with AFP at the beginning of March, the current Olympic champion in aquatic marathon, Ana Marcela Cunha, defended a “plan B” that prioritizes the health of athletes.

In August 2023, the dress rehearsal for the water marathon race had to be canceled due to poor water quality.

The River Seine should host triathlon events (July 30th and 31st and August 5th) and aquatic marathon (August 8th and 9th).

But uncertainty about its realization on this emblematic channel remains. In the event of heavy rain, water quality may be further compromised, as wastewater will be carried away.

The Paris City Council and City Hall specified that five important infrastructures to guarantee drinking water from the River Seine in the summer will be operational “in the coming weeks”.

“The quality of the water in the Seine will be at the level of the Olympic Games”, stated the regional City Hall, specifying that, in the event of “very heavy rain”, the tests could be postponed “one or two days”.

The NGO Surfrider demanded that authorities continue carrying out tests “before and during” the Olympic Games due to the “lack of visibility” and communication.