Panic in Paris as sewage overflow fears prompt closure of landmark

Just hours after reopening following a 102 year ban, all three bathing spots along the Seine River in the French capital have been forced to close. Less than a day after Parisians celebrated the long-awaited return of river swimming, the city shut the sites on Sunday due to concerns over sewage contamination and other pollutants following heavy rainfall. The closures remain in effect today, Monday, July 7.

The three open water bathing spots are Bras Marie in central Paris, Grenelle to the west, and Bercy in the east and were closed following overnight storms. On Sunday morning, Paris officials raised red flags, the same as those used on beaches, barring swimmers from entering the water amid concerns that heavy rainfall may have washed untreated sewage into the Seine. Paris Deputy Mayor for Sports, Pierre Rabadan, emphasised that strict safety protocols are in place to ensure the water is tested daily.

Concerning the closure of the swimming spots, he told l’Agence France-Presse (AFP): "We could have done without it [closing], but it also proves the seriousness of the protocol and the maximum security that we have put in place around it’"

He added: "We have a protocol, which we follow to the letter, whereby if it rains more than 10 millimetres in less than twelve hours, which corresponds to intense rain, we do not open the bathing area until we have the results of the water quality test."

The three bathing spots are expected to remain closed until at least Tuesday, when new test results are due. Another anticipated site along the Canal Saint-Martin also remained shut on Sunday for the same reasons.

Under normal conditions, levels of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and enterococci remain well below EU safety thresholds, allowing swimmers to enjoy the Seine without worry. Last summer, the unusual rainfall during the Olympic Games frequently caused the water to be unsafe for athletes to swim in, mainly due to temporarily high levels of fecal bacteria (E. coli and enterococci) following heavy rain showers.

However, the Parisian sewage system, built in the mid-19th century, often struggles during heavy rain, causing overflow that can compromise water quality.

Following the closure, Ariel Weil, mayor of central Paris, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "These are unfortunately the hazards of open water swimming. We’ll see you on the Seine as soon as the weather is better."

The historic reopening on Saturday, July 5, marked the first opportunity since 1923 for Parisians to swim in the iconic river.

Over 2,300 visitors enjoyed the initial day, taking advantage of specially designed facilities complete with showers, changing rooms, and lifeguard supervision, Le Monde reported.

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, who famously took part in the inaugural swim last year, described the reopening as a long-held dream realised, a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics.