MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Switzerland – Canton Government of Geneva in French
The cantonal medical service temporarily closed a bathing area in the canton on Thursday, September 26, 2024: William-Rappard Beach, in the City of Geneva. Samples taken by the cantonal water office on September 25, 2024 as part of monitoring the quality of bathing water revealed bacteriological exceedances.
The measured concentrations of faecal bacteria of the Escherichia coli group as well as that of enterococci are higher than the recommendations for the assessment of the quality of bathing water in Switzerland, of the order of 25,000 CFU / 100 ml (threshold: 1000 CFU / 100 ml) for Escherichia coli and 1700 CFU / 100 ml (threshold: 300 CFU / 100 ml) for enterococci. Investigations into the sewage networks are currently being undertaken to identify the source of this pollution. These excesses can cause gastroenteritis or, more rarely, urinary tract infections. Faecal bacteria can also represent a risk for animals.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, which usually disappear within a few days. For people who are concerned about their condition or who have significant or persistent symptoms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. Monitoring of the sanitary quality of the water is set up by the cantonal water office. When the situation has returned to normal, the ban can be lifted.
As a reminder, the canton carries out a regular analysis every 3 to 4 weeks of the 35 public access points to the lake and the Rhône upstream of its junction with the Arve as well as at the Plaine beach in Dardagny, from mid-April to the end of September.
In general, it is recommended not to swim within 48 hours following heavy rain, storms or north winds because these weather events can resuspend fecal bacteria contained in the sediments at the bottom of the lake.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.