Bathing pleasure or health risk? 7 bathing lakes in BW to avoid!

Bathing pleasure or health risk? 7 bathing lakes in BW to avoid!

Current reports on the water quality of swimming lakes in Germany show encouraging figures, but there are also some downsides. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Health recently published that of the 311 regularly inspected bathing areas, an impressive 97% were of “excellent quality”. Health Minister Manne Lucha was very positive about this, especially in comparison to other European regions. However, those who enjoy swimming in two very specific lakes should be careful: The Sunthauser See in Bad Dürrheim and the Metzisweiler Weiher in Bad Wurzach have not been suitable for swimming for a long time because increased microbiological contamination has been found there. Sunthauser See has even been closed since the 2021 swimming season.

If you take a look at four other bathing lakes in the region, you will see that they only achieve “sufficient quality”. These include the Buch bathing lake in Rainau, the reservoir in Mulfingen, the Hermuthausen bathing lake in Ingelfingen and the Eggenstein quarry lake in Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen. Hygienic problems in bathing lakes can be caused primarily by heavy rain or a large number of water birds. It is also recommended to keep a close eye on the information and warnings from the health authorities, as they take water samples at least monthly during the bathing season and publish the results. Swimming in rivers is generally discouraged as they are often not officially controlled, which increases the risk of health problems.

Monitoring of bathing waters

In 2023, 2,291 bathing water bodies in Germany were monitored in accordance with European Union guidelines. This showed that around 98% of the waters examined met the quality requirements. Only around 0.3% had poor hygienic quality. It is also noteworthy that 155 bathing water bodies had to be temporarily closed, with 94 cases being due to the dreaded cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. These bacteria arise primarily in warm temperatures and can pose health risks because they can produce toxins that are particularly dangerous for dogs. For humans, large amounts of water containing cyanotoxins should be avoided as they can cause symptoms such as nausea or skin rashes.

The Federal Environment Agency also points out that the hygienic quality of bathing water has been consistently high on average since 2001. In recent years, testing has become more stringent, particularly for E. coli and enterococci, which are used as indicators of water quality. Regular monitoring is essential to ensure that bathing waters comply with the established guidelines. The EU has set specific limits for cyanotoxins, which are crucial for the safe use of bathing water.

Health risks and recommendations

Particular attention should be paid to the harmful microbes that can enter the water not only through heavy rainfall. Aquatic snails harboring cercarial larvae can also pose a threat. These parasites can cause itching and rashes when they come into contact with the skin. While symptoms are usually mild and resolve quickly, repeated infections can be more unpleasant.

Bathers should follow a few important tips to ensure their safety: If there is visible green-bluish cloudiness, you should avoid swimming, especially if you are doing water sports that require a lot of water. After bathing, we recommend a thorough shower to wash off any residue. In any case, it is advisable to pay attention to children and pets while they are in and around the water.

Overall, it can be seen that the quality of the bathing lakes in Germany is usually excellent, but a certain degree of caution is also necessary. The balance between enjoying yourself and taking care of your own health can be the key to a relaxing and safe bathing experience.