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Bathing ban at the Nidda reservoir: the city of Schotten remains without options!
Swimming is still banned at the Nidda reservoir in Schotten, despite good water quality. Legal issues and security in focus.
Bathing ban at the Nidda reservoir: the city of Schotten remains without options!
Nothing like refreshment in the Nidda reservoir! The city of Schotten recently secured its small bathing jetty at the reservoir with bars, so that occasional swimming, which is so popular in the region, is currently not possible. Only the DLRG Friedberg/Bad Nauheim association has permission to use the footbridge for practice purposes. A bathing ban causes a great deal of misunderstanding, even if the water quality is considered good according to the HLNUG. This raises the question: Why so many regulations?
The bathing ban has its roots not in the ill will of the city administration, but in legal problems and tragic incidents of the past. The term “Baden” was deleted from the city statutes in July 2023 - a step that was taken after an accident in northern Hesse with three drowned children and after a report from the Municipal Accident Insurance Association (GVV). Mayor Susanne Schaab explained that swimming would only be possible in guarded and demarcated areas. However, this is not affordable for the city.
Legal restrictions and responsibilities
The Nidda reservoir, which was originally not designed as a recreational swimming lake but as a rain retention basin, is dominated by the legal requirements of the Nidda water association and the responsible authorities. The city of Schotten acts as the regulatory authority for the reservoir area and has now removed all references to swimming and the bathing ban from the lake regulations.
What is particularly worrying is the responsibility that the city bears. Mayor Göbl repeatedly emphasizes the legal consequences and personal responsibility that could accompany any swimming incidents. The authorities emphasize that the regional council in Giessen is the final authority on possible bathing permits.
Relevance of bathing bans
It's worth taking a closer look at the laws surrounding bathing bans. These can be pronounced for various reasons, be it for safety reasons, nature conservation or even dangerous situations. Failure to comply can not only lead to dangerous situations or accidents, but also to severe fines, which can vary greatly from region to region. A general bathing ban could result in fines of up to 5,000 euros. The ban on swimming in the Nidda reservoir is one of these measures that once again illustrates the seriousness of the situation.
In the coming years, the discussion will certainly gain momentum, especially with a view to the planned State Garden Show in 2027. A rethink could perhaps provide more clarity and thus more bathing pleasure, but until then the Nidda reservoir will remain closed to most visitors.
The DLRG is present on the weekends during the peak summer months in order to be able to provide help in an emergency - but refreshing baths are still prohibited. When the topic of swimming in the Nidda reservoir comes up, it is clear: there is something going on, but those responsible first have to clarify how the legal issues can be kept under control.