13 bathing beaches in Poland are currently closed due to the water being unsuitable for bathing. As many as 11 of them are very popular reservoirs in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. In recent weeks, bathers’ plans have been interrupted mainly by blue-green algae, this time it is mainly the fault of Escherichia coli bacteria.
The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate supervises 683 bathing places throughout the country, monitoring water quality in terms of the presence of polluting microorganisms. It also checks for the presence of cyanobacterial blooms, as well as the reproduction of macroalgae or marine phytoplankton. Inspectors also focus on detecting contaminants such as tar, glass, plastics, rubbers and other waste, unless they are present in quantities that can be removed immediately from the water.
Until recently, the use of the charms of bathing was prevented mainly by blue-green algae that dominated bathing areas in many places throughout Poland. Today, however, their greatest plague is E. coli (colon bacteria). These are bacteria that are part of the physiological bacterial flora of the human large intestine. There they play a useful role, because they participate in the decomposition of food.
Where can’t you swim?
From the data posted on the website of the Central Sanitary Institute on Saturday, August 12, shows that among the bathing beaches at lakes, reservoirs and lagoons in the country, the following were closed due to the presence of E. coli:
– 2 swimming pools in Wicie (West Pomeranian Voivodeship),
– 2 swimming pools in Bobolin (West Pomeranian Voivodeship),
– 4 swimming pools in Dąbki (West Pomeranian Voivodeship),
– Inland swimming pool “Dąbie” in Szczecin (West Pomeranian Voivodeship),
– Bathing resort in Kopań (West Pomeranian Voivodeship),
– Bathing resort on Lake Strykowskie in Strykowo (Greater Poland Voivodeship),
– “Arturówek” swimming pool in Łódź (Łódź Voivodeship),
– A swimming pool located in the Recreation and Leisure Center in Pietrowice (Opolskie Voivodeship).
All closed bathing areas in the country are marked in red on interactive map of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorateo. GIS regularly updates it. You will find there information about the condition of the water in Polish bathing areas – places where you can safely bathe are marked in green. Closed bathing areas are marked in red.
Are E. coli bacteria dangerous to health?
Bathing in a body of water contaminated by the bacterium can be fatal. E. coli are the cause of i.a. urinary tract infections, food poisoning, chronic sinusitis and peritonitis. They also cause diarrhea or vomiting.
Main photo source: tvn24