Following the flooding, there is now a threat of a bathing ban in large parts of Lake Constance. The health department has recommended that towns and communities close their bathing waters, said a spokesman for the Lake Constance district. This affects large parts of the northern shore of Lake Constance as well as many smaller bathing waters. The reason for this is possible microbiological contamination of the water. Floating debris could also endanger swimmers.

The municipality of Eriskirch, located east of Friedrichshafen, closed its bathing areas until the end of June. This was purely a precautionary measure, said Mayor Arman Aigner (independent). There were still no valid results from water samples. Several sewage treatment plants along the Schussen river were no longer able to absorb the masses of water after the heavy rain at the weekend.

Friedrichshafen and Uhldingen-Mühlhofen have also already issued bathing bans. “We assume that all communities will follow our recommendation,” said the spokesman for the Lake Constance district.

Places with river mouths are particularly affected. However, a holiday on Lake Constance is still possible, stressed Aigner. While the flooding caused major damage on the upper reaches of the Schussen in Meckenbeuren, only five cellars had to be pumped out in Eriskirch. The outdoor pool with its 50-meter pool is open. “We are prepared for the guests.”

On the western side of Lake Constance, however, the situation is somewhat more relaxed. For the time being, the city of Konstanz will not be issuing an explicit ban on swimming at its lidos, including the Horn outdoor pool, the largest on Lake Constance. However, the Konstanz district health department also advises people to refrain from swimming as a precautionary measure. The weather is changeable anyway, and the water is currently still quite cool at around 18 degrees.

However, the lidos will remain open, said Josef Siebler of the Konstanz public utilities. “We will, however, raise the red flag.” This means that there will be no supervision. Stronger currents are also to be expected at the Rhine lido. “Basically, you always have to be careful as a swimmer on Lake Constance,” said Siebler.

By Eberhard Wein

The original of this article “Lake Constance so polluted after flooding that bathing is now prohibited” comes from STUTTGARTER ZEITUNG.