Bathing pleasure or danger? Health department warns of blue-green algae in Beeskow!

Bathing pleasure or danger? Health department warns of blue-green algae in Beeskow!

Caution is currently advised when swimming in the Oder-Spree district. The health department has classified three bathing areas as being of concern because elevated levels of blue-green algae and E.coli were found. Warning signs have been put up in Beeskow (Spreepark), Niewisch am Schwielochsee and in the Mitte lido in Bad Saarow, warning bathers to be particularly careful. The health department recommends that children and sensitive people in particular avoid bathing in order to avoid health risks. Moz.de reports that the problem should be taken seriously, especially in the Mitte lido in Bad Saarow due to excessive E.coli levels.

The situation is not new: In Berlin, increased levels of fecal bacteria and blue-green algae were found at twelve bathing areas, including the Müggelsee lido. Here too, the recommendation is to avoid these watering holes, as fecal bacteria can cause health problems such as diarrhea. These problems occur more frequently, especially in warm summer weather. In Brandenburg alone, however, only one bathing area is affected, the Hohenjesarscher See in Alt Zeschdorf, which is also plagued by blue-green algae. In total, there are 282 bathing areas in Brandenburg, with good water quality in many cases. RBB24 reports on the dangers that increase in standing water, especially from mid-July onwards.

Quality of the bathing water

Fortunately, a comprehensive study shows that the water quality in other lakes such as the Grubensee, the Großstiegelsee and the Scharmützelsee is consistently positive. Here, bathers can look forward to clear water and safe bathing pleasure. A total of 34 bathing areas were examined between June 30th and July 1st; Of these, 31 received the rating “without complaints”. This underlines the efforts of the relevant authorities to continuously monitor water quality. After all, according to the latest results, around 98% of bathing waters in Germany meet the requirements of the EU Water Quality Directive, which affects over 2,291 bathing waters. Federal Environment Agency informed that only a small part of the bathing areas have to be temporarily closed due to deviations.

Although the situation in most waters is quite good, such a warning still carries risks. Contamination by E.coli usually occurs via animal and human excretions, which increases the risk in the warm season. In this context, children are particularly susceptible to health problems such as skin irritation or allergic reactions. Therefore, anyone who wants to go into the water should always pay attention to the current advice from the authorities and avoid cloudy waters. So that it continues to be fun to be by the water in summer!