The Parisians rushed to take a dip in Sena on Saturday when the authorities opened the river to public swimming for the first time since 1923 after an extensive cleaning operation stimulated for its use last year as a place in the Olympic Games in Paris.
Three sites along the banks of Sena in the city can welcome more than 1,000 swimmers daily until August 31, local officials said for the delight of the Parisians and visitors who were among the first to take the step.
“Really nice, I’m impressed, surprised,” said Victoria Cnop, 24, a Brazilian who lives in Paris. “I never imagined being in the water near the Eiffel Tower.”
“The water is clean, it is warm, it is clear. There is a bit of algae, but that is normal,” said Karine, 51. “Come here everyone, it’s great!”
The reopening of SENA for public swimming follows the efforts of the authorities to improve their water quality so that it can be used for Olympic events last summer.
Investments included connecting tens of thousands of houses to the sewerage system, improving water treatment facilities and building large rainwater storage tanks to avoid overflowing with sewerage during heavy storms.
While the delays, caused by the impact on the health of heavy rains, impacted some Olympic training sessions and the male triathlon event, competitions in SENA finally continued, reinforcing confidence in the safety of the river for public swimming.
Daily water quality tests will be carried out during the swimming season, with green and red flags, similar to beach safety systems, indicating whether the swimming areas are open or closed.
“It’s wonderful,” said John Drummond, a 54 -year -old visitor from Canada. “It’s great for the environment, it’s great for the city, it’s great for people who live here. So very good initiative.”
In addition to the three sites within Paris, 14 swimming areas will be established outside the limits of the capital in the Seine and Marne rivers. Two of those who already opened in the Marne in June.
