Toulouse. In these very hot weather, is it still forbidden to swim in the Garonne?
By Quentin Marais
Published on
A month of June marked by a heat wave and a red alerta mid-July that could take a similar twist : heat waves continue to pour into Toulouse, the Upper Garonne and the France. But while at the start of the summer holidays, lakes and pools are open for swimming in the Pink City, a question arises: is it still forbidden to bathe in the Garonne ?
“I had this idea, this intuition”
At the helm of the fourth largest city in France between 2004 and 2008, and since 2014, Jean-Luc Moudenc confirms: “a few years ago, I had this idea, this intuition. It’s quite natural”. But the first magistrate calls back. “There are rules to respect: the public river domain of the Garonne is managed by the State, and not by the town hall. A parameter which has its consequences, since as the elected official indicates, “it means that the community would be in demand position.
“Great instability”
And these health rules, ” they are drastic, and that is quite normal. We are not going to lure people into a trap, ”continues Jean-Luc Moudenc. For Toulousaines and Toulousains who would keep taking a dip in the Garonne, “we must guarantee quality wateraccording to the standards in force, which are very subject”.
“However, the studies and measurements that had been made showed, from this point of view, great instability. There were times when we met the regulatory requirements, and others when, unfortunately, this was not the case. . That’s why this idea couldn’t take off.”
A study selected in 2018
It is especially on occasion of summer 2018 than Toulouse Métropole pondered the question. She had launched a process, which had, moreover, allowed the authorization of bathing in Lac de la Ramée from 2016. Four years ago, the Regional Health Agency mentioned that the quality of water had improved in the Garonne.
Sanitary engineer from the Haute-Garonne delegation within the ARS, Nicolas Sauthier declared to Toulouse news : “this study will make it possible to say under which conditions and in which places bathing could be allowed, and thus to protect public health”.
Since… 1976
But as Jean-Luc Moudenc explained, it is a “great instability” which emerges, and does not allow swimming in the Garonne. Where the ban has now lasted for more than 40 years, the decree having been taken… in 1976.
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