The city of Paris has opened up the Seine River for swimming, marking a major milestone in the river’s transformation from a toxic mess to a popular recreational spot. The river was once so polluted that it was considered a health hazard, but after a massive cleanup effort, it is now safe for people to swim in.

History of the Seine River

The Seine River has a long and complicated history. In the 17th century, people would swim in the river, but this practice was eventually banned due to public decency concerns. In the 19th century, the river became a popular spot for bathing and swimming, with several establishments offering swimming lessons and other amenities.

However, the river’s popularity began to decline in the early 20th century due to pollution and safety concerns. The French government implemented a ban on swimming in the river in 1923, which remained in place for many years. Despite this, some people continued to swim in the river, and a long-distance swimming race was held in the river every year.

Cleanup Efforts

In recent years, the city of Paris has made a major effort to clean up the Seine River. This included the construction of a massive underground basin to hold stormwater and prevent it from flowing into the river. The basin is capable of holding 50,000 cubic meters of water and has been instrumental in reducing the amount of pollution in the river.

The cleanup effort has been a major success, and the river is now safe for people to swim in. The city has opened up three public swim spots along the river, and many people are taking advantage of this new recreational opportunity.

While the water is not crystal clear, and there may be some debris or unpleasant odors, the experience of swimming in the Seine River is still a unique and enjoyable one. The city has implemented a flag system to indicate whether it is safe to swim, and people are advised to check the flags before entering the water.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.