2024-08-06 02:58:39
Summarizing the results of laboratory water samples received until August 5, a ban on swimming has been established in Jūrmala’s sea bathing areas – Asari and Melluži, in Riga’s Daugava swimming areas – Rumbula and Ķīpsala, as well as in Sigulda’s swimming area “Gauja”.
Due to microbiological pollution, the Inspectorate advises not to swim in Jūrmala sea bathing areas Bulduri, Dubulti, Dzintari, Lielupe, Majori and Pumpuri, in Salaspils swimming area in Daugava, as well as in Jelgava’s Lielupe swimming area “Lielupe right bank swimming area” and Saldus lake swimming area.
As flood water continues to drain from the flooded areas in the municipalities of Jūrmala and Jelgava, the VI advises not to swim in Jūrmala’s sea swimming areas in Jaunķemeri, Vaivari and Kauguris, in Jūrmala’s Lielupe Ezeru Street swimming area and in Lielupe’s Priedaine swimming area, as well as in Jelgava’s Lielupe swimming area on Pasta Island.
On the other hand, the Rāzna lake swimming pool “Lipuški” is still closed while construction works are underway in the swimming pool area. It is forbidden to swim in the construction site during the swimming season.
Swimming is allowed in the other 37 official swimming areas. During this week, the results of the microbiological analyzes of the repeatedly taken water samples of the bathing areas taken by the inspection, or planned to be taken by the municipalities, will be known, VI informed.
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 water color is evaluated, special attention is paid to floating waste and oil products in the water, as well as to the process of cyanobacteria reproduction.
VI explains that 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. 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.
2024-08-06 02:58:39