Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — For the first time in over a century, the Seine River is officially open for swimming, marking a major environmental and public health milestone for the French capital.
The historic reopening follows a €1.4 billion (approximately US$1.5 billion) cleanup initiative that has dramatically transformed the once-polluted waterway. This ambitious project, launched in 2018, aimed to restore the Seine’s ecological health and make it safe for recreational use.
Paris, once known for its littered streets and grimy public spaces, had long struggled with the image of the Seine as a murky, bacteria-laden river unsafe even for wading. High levels of E. coli contamination made swimming unthinkable for decades.
But years of investment and infrastructure upgrades have paid off. Water quality has steadily improved, fish have returned to the river, and the public is now being welcomed back.
This past weekend, three designated swimming spots which is Bras Marie, Bras de Grenelle, and Bercy officially opened to the public. According to France 24, each location includes changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furnishings, accommodating between 150 and 300 visitors.
“It’s a childhood dream to see people swimming in the Seine,” said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, as quoted by Time Out. “Look how happy everyone is.”
Read Also:
Kite Flying Disrupts Dozens of Flights at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
A central feature of Paris’s river revitalization project is a massive underground reservoir built beneath a public park along the Left Bank of the Seine. Sewage overflows have long plagued the Seine, especially during rainstorms, due to the city’s aging 19th-century wastewater system.
The tank, with a capacity of 46,000 cubic meters, roughly the size of 20 Olympic swimming pools, is designed to capture excess stormwater and significantly reduce, though not completely eliminate, sewage overflow into the river.
Additionally, daily water quality testing is now being conducted to ensure safety. Currently, the levels of two key bacteria, E. coli and enterococci are well below the health risk threshold.
Still, swimming in the Seine isn’t without risks. Authorities have warned of strong currents, depths reaching up to 11.5 feet (3.5 meters), and frequent boat traffic. Lifeguards will be stationed at each site to evaluate swimmers before allowing them independent access to the water.
Swimming outside the designated zones could result in steep fines, officials cautioned. Even so, the reopening is welcome news, particularly as the city contends with rising summer temperatures.
“Heatwaves will continue to intensify,” said Mayor Anne Hidalgo, emphasizing that safe swimming areas contribute to “a happier life, and undoubtedly a more peaceful one shared with fellow Parisians.”
(Raidi/Agung)
