Seine River Reopens for Swimming After 100-Year Closure

After more than a century of being closed to swimmers due to pollution, the Seine River in France reopened for swimming on Saturday. The river, which was deemed unsafe for swimming since 1923, has undergone a significant cleanup effort, culminating in a $1.5 billion investment known as the “Swimming Plan.” This initiative was largely driven by Paris's bid to host the 2024 Olympics, which accelerated the city's efforts to clean up the river.

The cleanup involved integrating more than 20,000 homes that were previously dumping wastewater into the Seine into the sewer system. This reduction in pollution has made the river safe for swimming, as evidenced by the open-water swimming races held in the waterway and even Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo taking a dip last summer to demonstrate the river's cleanliness.

The three designated swimming areas are equipped with lifeguards, changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture. These locations are free to the public during scheduled times and can accommodate about 1,000 swimmers per day until late August. Additional swimming spots on the Seine located outside of Paris are also set to open in the near future.

However, the safety of the river is continuously monitored. City officials check bacteria levels daily and use green and red flags to indicate whether it is safe to swim. On Sunday, just one day after the river’s reopening, the flags were red due to elevated bacteria levels caused by rainfall. Heavy rains can overwhelm the newly built cisterns, which can hold up to 13 million gallons of wastewater that would otherwise go directly into the Seine.

Tourism authorities are optimistic that the reopening of the Seine for swimming will attract tourists, especially given the scenic locations of the three public swimming areas. Advocates for reclaiming the Seine for swimming also highlight the importance of public waterways as a means for people to cool down during increasingly hot summers.

To ensure the safety of swimmers, strict measures have been implemented. Swimmers are required to wear a yellow lifebuoy tied around their waist. This precaution, along with the continuous monitoring of water quality, aims to provide a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for all.