Health authorities warn: Are our swimming lakes really safe?

Health authorities warn: Are our swimming lakes really safe?

What's new from Freising? There is a pleasant atmosphere today at the Haager Weiher, a popular destination for swimmers in the beautiful Ampertal. A slightly cloudy sky and the calm water level invite you to linger. But behind this idyll lies an important task: the microbiological checks of the EU bathing lakes, which take place every four weeks to ensure safety for swimmers. This reports sueddeutsche.de.

However, the head of the Freising health department, who is on site during these checks, expresses her concern about the lack of chemical analyzes of the water samples. These would be important in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of water quality. Ultimately, hygiene comes first when it comes to the health of bathers.

Indicators of good water quality

Two women are enjoying the silence on the jetty of the Hague Pond, while the noise of gravel mining can be heard on the other side. The health department hygienists arrive around 9:30 a.m. to take the water samples. Mike Wunsch, one of the hygienists, points to the water lilies floating in the water.

Water lilies are not only beautiful to look at, but also a positive sign of water quality. They require oxygen-rich water, which indicates good water quality. But monitoring water quality goes beyond the naked eye, as health departments are required to ensure that bathing waters are safe.

Water safety for everyone

In Germany, millions of people use public swimming pools and indoor pools every year. How eurofins.de As noted, inadequate treatment and disinfection of the pool water can lead to health risks. Modern offerings such as hot tubs and higher water temperatures in particular pose additional risks.

The requirements for swimming and bathing pool water are complex and include microbiological, chemical and physico-chemical standards. The quality of bathing water is also influenced by external stress factors and ecological interactions. Eurofins therefore also examines bathing waters for toxic blue-green algae in order to guarantee hygienically perfect bathing water.

Another aspect is that the operators of pools are obliged to monitor themselves in order to ensure traffic safety. Although the health department monitors the hygiene requirements, natural swimming pools, such as the Hague Pond, do not fall under DIN 19643, but are regulated by the EU with the EC Directive on the quality of bathing water.

Ultimately, water safety is a community project. When we feel safe, we can truly enjoy nature and summertime.