Oberhausen struggles with nitrate problems: Badeweiher before cleaning!

Oberhausen struggles with nitrate problems: Badeweiher before cleaning!

The Oberhausen Badeweiher again causes excitement - this summer is a difficult water image. The water currently has increased nitrate values of 15 mg/l, which is still below the critical border compared to the health -questioning values from 50 mg/l. Nevertheless, the situation remains tense, since the blue -green algae -related arise was recently low and the bathing operation could start again. This information comes from the Merkur.

The condition of the pond was already worrying last autumn when cyanobacteria (also known as blue -green algae) had caused water quality and skin reactions in bathers. Mayor Rudolf Sonnleitner said that he is planning to wait until autumn so as not to disturb the sensitive amphibians and dragonfly larvae in the water.

planned measures to improve water quality

After the winter rest there is a comprehensive cleaning of the bathing pond on the agenda. Water should be drained and the fish stock is to be fished out. The subsequent cleaning could include rinsing or removing the sand cover, possibly a basic seal may also be considered in order to reduce the groundwater input. This procedure could significantly minimize algae growth, which is strongly influenced by the nutrient input

When bathing operations can actually be resumed, however, remains unclear. In addition to water quality, playground controls and security requirements are also important. In addition, a lifeguard is required because it is an artificial body of water. The Federal Environment Agency also notes that in the 2024 bathing season, 2,291 bathing water examined and 98 percent met the specified quality requirements.

Health aspects and collateral when bathing

The water quality of bathroom options is of great importance for the health of bathers. In the bathing season, 13,207 water samples were evaluated, with almost 91 percent of the waters "excellent". Nevertheless, there were also nine bathing waters that were rated "poor" and had to be closed temporarily, most of them due to cyanobacteria or other water hygienic defects. This development shows that there is always a certain risk of bathing, whereby the health hazard in most German bathing waters is classified as very low, as the Lower Saxony State Authority of Water Management emphasized.