Bathing lakes and outdoor pools in Jerichower Land: Water quality alarming?

Bathing lakes and outdoor pools in Jerichower Land: Water quality alarming?

The summer heat moves the population in the Jerichower Land region to nature, where swimming lakes and outdoor pools offer a welcome cooling. The most popular bathing areas include the lakes Zabakuck, Gommern, Dannigkow, Niegripp and Parchau as well as the outdoor pools in Möckern, Lübars and Ziepel. However, the latter is currently closed due to construction work, such as Meetingpoint-JL.

In the current bathing season, the water quality in the bathing lakes is checked by the district's health department. At regular intervals, about four to five times a season or every 28 days, water samples are taken. In addition to these official controls, the operators of the outdoor pools carry out daily visual controls and water samples. The latest results show no abnormalities, but a low development of cyanobacteria was found in the Kulk in Gommern. While bathing is not forbidden there, it is advised.

health risks and surveillance

The topic of cyanobacteria in bathing waters is particularly important, especially in hot summers. According to information from the Federal Environment Agency, health risks can result in bathing waters through increased concentrations of these bacteria. These microorganisms produce cyanotoxins that can cause serious damage to the liver, kidneys and nerves, especially for small children.

The temperature of the water and the nutrient concentration are crucial for the growth of cyanobacteria. In moderately loaded waters, they compete for nutrients with other aquatic plants. A healthy body of water should have a nutrient concentration of less than 30 µg total phosphate per liter to limit the growth of cyanobacteria.

In addition, satellites are used as part of bathing water monitoring to observe temperature changes and seasonal fluctuations. These technologies show that in very warm summers the proportion of polluted lakes is above average, which is favored by the thermal layering of the water.

processes on site

are always present lifeguards, with the exception of the Kulk in Gommern. No lifeguards are stationed there, and access to the water remains uncontrolled. The operators and tenants of the outdoor pools are well prepared and ensure that the bathers are informed about the current water examinations.