Swimming Safely: Spotting Cyanobacteria and Protecting Your Health
Lake Water Quality: Essential Factors to Scrutinize Before Swimming or Boating
Berlin (dpa/tmn) - Don't let those pesky bacteria ruin your fun in the water! Cases of hives on the skin, diarrhea, or severe infections can put a damper on your swim—but spotting the problem early can help you steer clear. Sascha Maier, water expert at the German Environmental and Nature Conservation Association (BUND), shares some tips for swimming enthusiasts.
While you can't always see bacteria in the water, here are some visible red flags to watch out for:
- Algae blooms: Dead fish are often a clear indication, but blue-green algae—stinky, tiny cyanobacteria that can make the water green, blue-green, or even create a foamy, paint-like appearance—are the most common health hazards in lakes. These algae can form streaks or even a blanket on the water's surface or create clouds floating within. If you can't see your feet while standing knee-deep in the water, it's best to avoid a dip. Cyanobacteria thrive in prolonged sunshine and high temperatures, particularly after fields have been fertilized.
- Invisible menaces: Another two creepy crawlies are vibrions and cercariae, tiny organisms unseen by the naked eye. Cercariae, larvae that affect waterfowl, can try their luck with human skin, causing uncomfortable skin reactions. These pests crave warm water temperature around 20 degrees. To steer clear, the BUND advises checking on local advisories, avoiding shallow water, and rubbing off vigorously with a towel after swimming and changing clothes.
Keep your eyes open for clear water too, as dirt runoff after heavy rain can make the water murky and polluted. Lower water levels in summer may mean that water passing through wastewater treatment plants has increased—while these plants can't filter everything, avoiding shallow water areas near shore plants could help keep you safe.
For those curious about water quality in a specific body of water, the German Environment Agency, the Federal Institute of Hydrology, and the European Environment Agency offer online resources. It's important to remember that lakes not designated as bathing waters might not show up in such reports. Instead, keep an eye out for warning signs and stay informed through local media.
Now that you know what to look for, happy and healthy swimming!
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In the context of understanding health and wellness, it's crucial to recognize that besides cyanobacteria, other microorganisms like vibrions and cercariae pose health risks in water bodies. To minimize the avoidable contacts with these organisms, the BUND advises keeping informed of local advisories, avoiding shallow water, and adopting good personal hygiene practices like thorough towel drying and changing clothes after swimming. Furthermore, one should resort to online resources provided by various environmental agencies to assess the water quality of specific bodies before engaging in water-related activities.
