Water quality of the Würm: bathing pleasure or risk in summer 2025?

Water quality of the Würm: bathing pleasure or risk in summer 2025?

In Gräfelfing, a picturesque town in the heart of Bavaria, the Kneipp facility with its idyllic lawn on the Anger attracts many bathers. But what is the actual water quality of the Würm? This question will be hotly debated in the coming months as there will be no routine water testing until the end of July this year. The Starnberg district office is responsible for this, as it has no capacity for sampling due to an acute shortage of skilled workers. Then Merkur draws attention.

Bathing in the Würm is at your own risk, as the Würm is not one of the officially designated bathing waters. Nevertheless, in the past many people dared to jump into the water. The results so far have provided reassurance: no alarming amounts of intestinal enterococci or Escherichia coli were detected. A ray of hope, one might think, but the situation remains tense. The Würm examinations have been carried out voluntarily for years, and this year in particular, bathers are dependent on the results of the upcoming tests.

Investigations and pollutants

Away from the many questions about water quality: According to Wasserqualitaet.net, the Würm has different water quality, which can sometimes be better and sometimes worse depending on the section. A reliable assessment of pollutant levels requires sampling at various locations along the river. It remains questionable what residues may be present, from oils to microplastics to heavy metals. Although water quality in Germany has improved overall over the last 30 years, this positive development appears to have stalled.

Recent studies show that around 60 percent of Europe's rivers are not in good ecological condition. A comprehensive study by National Geographic finds that Germany lags behind the European average in this regard. Although ecological conditions have increased in the past, they have stagnated since around 2010.

Alarming reports

The State Association for Bird Protection (LBV) is particularly concerned, whose investigations revealed disturbing results from smaller streams in the Munich area. Dangerous chemicals, plant poisons and fertilizers were found there. Engineering ecologist Raphaela Karl urgently warns that these substances could endanger not only water quality, but also biodiversity in the Würm. It is believed that small streams into which the Würm flows also have similar problems.

The Weilheim Water Management Office plans to examine the Würm for chemical parameters every three years, with the next comprehensive examination scheduled for this year, and a measuring point in the Leutstetten area will evaluate the results by the end of the year. Fortunately, previous pollutant studies from 2022 did not show any noticeable pollutants.

The discussion about water quality remains tense given these factors. For many residents and guests, it is essential to follow updates on water testing. Because as the saying goes: Unfortunately, in nature there are often more questions than answers. And so it remains to be seen what the Würm and its bathing quality will be like in the coming months. Stay informed and look forward to the results of the next tests!