Bathing ban at Weitmannsee: Health department warns of dangerous bacteria!

Bathing ban at Weitmannsee: Health department warns of dangerous bacteria!

What a shock for Kissing's bathing fans! The State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) has announced that increased levels of fecal germs, namely Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci, have been found in Weitmannsee. This means that there is now a ban on swimming in the popular water areas. The water sample, taken on Monday, June 23, 2025, showed both a direct threat to the health of bathers and clear fecal contamination that could have been caused, for example, by sewage or even storm overflows. The district office reacted immediately and put up the appropriate signage at the lake. The bathing ban applies until further notice and will only be lifted if the limit values ​​in the bathing water fall, reports lra-aic-fdb.de.

Why is this so critical? E. coli and enterococci normally live in the intestines of humans and animals, and their presence in the swimming lake indicates fecal contamination. Particularly immune-sensitive groups of people, such as children or people with weakened immune systems, could suffer from gastrointestinal diseases or urinary tract infections. Therefore, regular monitoring of water quality by the health department is of great importance to protect the health of citizens.

Water quality background

Bathing water and its quality are not only a hot topic in Bavaria, but are also experiencing growing awareness throughout Germany. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can enter bathing water are another aspect that is increasingly coming into focus. These bacteria may be of natural origin or may enter waterways through human activities. They are often the result of wastewater or sewage sludge that enters lakes and rivers via agricultural land and combined sewage systems, as the [Federal Environment Agency](https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/wasser/schwimmen-baden/badegewaesser/faq-antibiotika Resistant-bacterial-in) explains.

The health authorities monitor the water quality in bathing waters in accordance with the EU Bathing Water Directive at least once a month during the bathing season from May to September. A classification into categories such as 'excellent', 'good', 'adequate' or 'poor' provides a quick overview of the water quality. If the result is poor, as in Kissing, bathing is not recommended or even a bathing ban is imposed. After all, you don't want to come into contact with fecal germs, which can lead to unpleasant infections.

Protective measures and outlook

The follow-up investigation of Weitmannsee was carried out on the same day after the first alarm, but the water quality remains critical for the time being. The local government will publish the results of the follow-up investigations to keep bathers informed. People suffering from skin conditions or open wounds, as well as those taking long-term antibiotics or who have weakened immune systems are also advised to seek medical advice before entering the water. The risk of becoming resistant to antibiotics increases noticeably for these groups of people, but [LGL Bayern](https://www.lgl.bayern.de/gesundheit/hygiene/wasserhygiene/badeseen/antibiotika Resistant_bacterialen_in_badegewaessern.htm) explains that the presence of these bacteria in water, even if they are detected, often does not lead to an increased health risk.

The situation at Weitmannsee reminds us how important our health environment is and that we should always keep a close eye on water quality. Now it's time to keep an eye on developments as we hope for a safe swimming season.