PARIS (AP) 鈥� Unsafe levels of E. coli have been found in the Seine River for the third consecutive week, according to test results published Friday, less than a month before the Paris .
The test results by monitoring group reveal contamination levels consistently above the of 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters determined by the World Triathlon Federation for competitions.
Marathon swimming and triathlon events are scheduled to take place in the river near the Alexandre III bridge during the Olympics, which begin on July 26.
Persistent rainfall has exacerbated the issue, as rainwater infiltrates the sewer system, leading to the discharge of fecal bacteria into the Seine, the report said, adding that the flooding of the Yonne River, a confluence of the Seine, has increased the flow of the Seine.
A 50,000 cubic meter reservoir in May to store excess rainwater was used for the first time on June 18 and 19, preventing 40,000 cubic meters of wastewater from seeping into the Seine.
Despite the continued high contamination levels, organizers remain optimistic.
鈥淏y the second half of July, things should settle down,鈥� said Tony Estanguet, head of the Paris 2024 organizing committee.
Marc Guillaume, the Paris region prefect in charge of the Seine, suggested the weather would improve in coming weeks.
鈥淎t some point, we鈥檒l have summer weather," he said on Wednesday. "That鈥檚 when the plan will take full effect,鈥�
Water quality of rivers in major cities can be impacted by many things, from runoff to dumping of chemicals, sometimes illegally, and boat traffic.
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AP Olympics:
The Associated Press
