A popular beach section at Gardasee had to be closed due to contamination by bacteria. The exact cause is still unclear.
In the town of Riva del Garda on Lake Garda in northern Italy, contamination by bacteria led to a ban on swimming. At a popular beach section, it was no longer allowed to go into the water. This was reported on the website of Italy’s public broadcaster, Radiotelevisione Italiana (Rai).
The ban on swimming at Spiaggia dei Pini: Emergency ordinance by the Mayor
The affected area was the pebble beach leading from the marina towards the old town: Spiaggia dei Pini – the beach of the pines. It is very popular among both locals and tourists, described as a beautiful beach where events also take place in the summer. The Pini beach in Riva del Garda on Lake Garda is currently closed. The reason is contamination by bacteria. A swimming ban is in effect.
During a water sample taken by a health service, the contamination was detected. Cristina Santi, the Mayor of Riva del Garda, issued an emergency ordinance imposing a swimming ban for the section in front of the Pini beach, according to Rai.
Riva del Garda, which is the sister city of Bensheim, has been in the spotlight from time to time. Chaos had occurred at the beaches of Lake Garda last year. The police were present on-site due to complaints about bathers causing disturbances.
The region has been struggling with severe drought for some time now. Water scarcity at Lake Garda is a recurring issue.
Swimming ban now lifted: Cause of contamination still unknown
The swimming ban was in effect from Wednesday, June 12, and was imposed for safety reasons. According to two Italian news portals, the ban was lifted on Friday, June 14. Further water analyses showed that the revocation of the swimming ban was possible because the microbiological parameters were within legal limits.
The cause of the contamination is still being investigated. One speculation, according to Rai, is that the bacteria could have accidentally entered the lake. Alternatively, it is possible that they were washed into the lake along with soil during heavy rain.
It is crucial to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the water at popular beaches to protect public health and the environment. Authorities will continue to monitor the situation to prevent any future contamination incidents and ensure the safety of beachgoers at Gardasee.