Escherichia coli Concentration Four Times Higher Than Permissible Limit
With less than a month remaining until the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the water pollution in the Seine River has been revealed to be severe.
AFP reported this citing the latest tests announced by the Paris Mayor's Office on the 28th (local time). The tests showed that the levels of Escherichia coli, a key indicator of fecal contamination, exceeded the limits set by sports federations. The "competition suitability standards" established by the International Triathlon Union in 2006 specify less than 1,000 E. coli per 100ml and less than 400 Enterococcus per 100ml.
Originally, the Seine was planned to be used for Olympic open water swimming and triathlon events. However, samples taken near the Pont Alexandre III, where the Paris Olympic triathlon is scheduled to take place, showed Enterococcus concentrations exceeding 1,000 per 100ml. The E. coli concentration was also nearly four times the allowable limit.
The Paris city government expects the water quality of the Seine to improve by July. In a statement, the Mayor's Office explained, "Adverse hydrological conditions, low sunlight, below-average temperatures, and upstream pollution continue to worsen water quality."
They added, "There was historically heavy rainfall in May, and June also saw significant precipitation. When water levels rise, E. coli and Enterococcus increase. If temperatures rise and rainfall decreases in July as before, the Seine's water quality will improve."
In recent months, Paris has experienced abnormally humid weather, causing the Seine to swell up to its embankments. Measurements indicate that the Seine's water level is currently about four to five times higher than the average summer level.
The Paris city government plans to release another set of Seine water quality test results in a week.
Earlier, when concerns about Seine water pollution related to the Paris Olympics were raised, on the 23rd, Mayor Anne Hidalgo and French President Emmanuel Macron promised to swim in the river. In response, a campaign titled "Let's poop in the Seine" emerged in France. This was to express that while the government is investing huge funds to use the Seine as a venue, it is ignoring issues faced by Paris residents such as traffic congestion. The planned test event was canceled due to the rising water levels of the Seine.
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