The city plans to have the Parisian river clean by 2017
This "hopefully" could become a reality very soon, specifically, next year. That is when the City Council plans to have clean parts of Canal Saint-Martin , in order not only to delight bathers, but, above all, to present a firm candidacy for the 2024 Olympics. At that time, if all goes well, practically the entire river will be suitable for swimming.
The picnic on the Seine will no longer be the only summer option
The reason is that events such as triathlon require open water to be carried out, and in 2013 already it was canceled a competition of this type that was to be held on the Seine due to the poor quality of the water. It contains bacteria harmful to humans, and therefore, it is forbidden to dive. Whoever does so faces the possibility of a fine, despite the fact that there are those who defy the law. Last year there was even a massive dive in the Canal de l’Ourcq !
Can you imagine bathing here?!
It is clear that no one can stop Parisians from swimming in their most iconic river, something they have traditionally done. In fact, the quality of the waters has actually improved in recent years Since the mid-20th century, work has been under way to create wastewater treatment plants.
Picnic + bath = wow, wow, there is a beach here
Likewise, between 2001 and 2002, some 45 tons of waste of the St. Martin canal, an operation that is being repeated this year. On this occasion, municipal workers have found at the bottom of the drained riverbed, in addition to bottles of beer and wine, motorcycles, bicycles of the public service of Paris and even a weapon! But don't let all this discourage you: cities like Copenhagen and Zurich h carried out a similar process and finally got that its rivers were suitable places for bathing.
The city plans to have the Parisian river clean by 2017