2024-08-07 05:59:29
As the agency was informed by LETA during the inspection, the water quality in these swimming areas currently meets the norm and swimming is allowed. On the other hand, the microbiological results of Rumbula water in the Riga swimming area do not yet indicate a sufficient reduction of pollution, therefore the previously established ban on swimming has been replaced by a recommendation not to swim.
Meanwhile, the ban on swimming due to microbiological pollution is maintained in the Asari and Melluži sea bathing areas of Jūrmala.
VI points out that due to microbiological pollution, it is still not recommended to swim in the swimming pools of Bulduri, Dubulti, Dzintari, Lielupe, Majori and Pumpuri in Jūrmala, as well as in the swimming pool of Jelgava Lielupe “Lielupe’s right bank swimming pool”.
As flood water continues to drain from the flooded areas in the municipalities of Jūrmala and Jelgava, the inspection recommends not to swim in the sea bathing areas of Jūrmala Jaunķemeri, Vaivari and Kauguri, in the swimming areas of Jūrmala Lielupe, Ezeru iela swimming area and Priedainė, as well as in the Jelgava Lielupe swimming area Pasta sala.
On the other hand, the “Lipuški” swimming area of Lake Rāzna is still closed while construction works are underway in the area of the swimming area. It is forbidden to swim in the construction site during the swimming season.
Swimming is allowed in the other 42 official swimming areas. During this week, the inspectorate will continue to clarify the results of microbiological analyzes of water samples from bathing areas.
When conducting microbiological analyses, two microbiological indicators are determined in the laboratory – the concentration of intestinal rods (Escherichia coli or E.coli) and intestinal enterococci in water. These indicators serve as indicators for the detection of possible fecal water pollution and can indicate the presence of disease-causing pathogenic bacteria and viruses in the water. Visually, during water sampling, the color of the water is assessed, special attention is paid to floating waste and oil products in the water, as well as to the process of cyanobacteria reproduction.
If the results of the analyzes of the water samples of the bathing areas show that the water meets the requirements, the results of the bathing water quality will indicate that swimming is allowed, the inspection explains. On the other hand, if the quality of the bathing water does not meet the requirements, the Inspectorate will determine bathing restrictions – a recommendation not to swim or a ban on swimming. The operator of the swimming pool must place the relevant information on the information stand of the specific swimming pool.
The recommendation not to swim should be followed by sensitive population groups: young children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases whose immune system is weakened, but the ban on swimming should be followed by everyone.
Residents can follow the current results of the quality of water samples of official bathing areas on the VI website in the section “Water quality of bathing areas”, where you can also find a map of official bathing areas in Latvia and information on safety aspects of bathing areas.
VI specialists check the water quality of deeper swimming areas in the official swimming areas both laboratory and visually during the swimming season from May 15th until the end of the swimming season on September 15th.
The next laboratory test of the water of all official swimming areas will be carried out on August 26 and 27.
2024-08-07 05:59:29