Hit the water: Hessian bathing lakes rated excellent for this season
The majority of lakes boast superior water cleanliness standards. - Majority of bathing lakes maintain top-notch water standards.
Ready to dive in? Good news for you - the Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment, and Geology (Hlnug) has got your back! They've conducted thorough checks on the Hessian bathing lakes, and the results are on point: most of these badboys are clean as a whistle!
Out of the 61 Hessian bathing waters, a whopping 58 received an 'excellent' hygiene rating, while the rest scored a 'good'. Not a single lake was marked 'sufficient' or 'deficient'.
54 bathing lakes are already open for your enjoyment, and six more will join the party by early July, as reported by the Hlnug. Just one lake is taking a time-out, but don't worry, it's not about the water quality!
Last year, the Hlnug made sure that all Hessian bathing waters adhered to the EU Bathing Water Directive. They tested for Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci, bacteria that serve as indicators of fecal contamination.
But remember, even if the water is as clean as a baby's bottom, there's a catch! The use of bathing waters may be temporarily restricted if there's a massive outbreak of harmful blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). These events don't affect the hygiene classification, but the Hlnug encourages you to play it safe: if you can't see your feet while standing up to your knees in the water, it's best to stay out.
- Water Quality
- Environment
- Bathing waters
- State office
- Nature conservation
- Wiesbaden
For your information:
- Water Quality Ratings : In Europe, water quality is usually checked and reported by local or national environmental agencies. These guys run tests for parameters like bacterial contamination, nutrient levels, and harmful algae presence.
- Blue-Green Algae Precautions :
- Identification : Look out for blue-green algae blooms on the water's surface – they often appear as a thick green or blue-green scum.
- Risks : These algae can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals if ingested, inhaled, or contacted through the skin.
- Precautions :
- Avoid Contact : Steer clear of swimming or engaging in water activities when blue-green algae are around.
- Monitoring : Check local advisories or signs at lakes for algae bloom warnings.
- Pet Safety : Keep pets away from the water to prevent them from swallowing toxic algae.
The Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment, and Geology (Hlnug) ensures the adherence of Hessian bathing waters to the EU Bathing Water Directive, conducting tests for water quality parameters such as bacterial contamination, nutrient levels, and harmful algae presence. In the case of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms, it's best to avoid contact with the water, follow local advisories or signs, and keep pets away from the contaminated area to prevent ingestion or contact.
