Concerns about Seine River water quality arise with postponed Olympic events.

The romantic Seine River was a hit among many during the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, but it was easy to forget what lies beneath.

The rainfall on Friday affected the water quality of the river.

Reports indicate that the organizers canceled the practice run for the upcoming triathlon on both Sunday and Monday because of concerns about the water quality being negatively affected by heavy rains.

Despite officials' initial optimism that warmer temperatures would decrease bacteria levels, the men's triathlon was ultimately postponed on Tuesday.

Although the water quality readings have improved in the past few hours, some points of the swim course still exceed acceptable levels, according to the World Triathlon.

UF Health experts, part of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Medical Network, spoke with Planet Chronicle Digital about the potential impact of the Seine River on athletes' health.

According to Dr. Kartikeya Cherabuddi, M.D., professor of infectious diseases and global medicine at the University of Florida, the quality of water can change based on the time of day and the number of infectious particles consumed.

It is crucial to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to manage potential symptoms promptly, as he stated.

River gets a makeover

The Seine River has been prohibited from swimming for the past century, except for occasional competitions, due to poor water quality, as reported.

UF Health's chief epidemiologist and quality officer, Nicole Iovine, M.D., Ph.D., informed Planet Chronicle Digital that Paris has invested significantly in cleaning up the Seine.

"Like many old cities, sewage and storm runoff are conveyed through the same pipe that leads to water treatment facilities," she stated.

"In the event of heavy rainfall, the pipe's capacity may be exceeded, resulting in overflow and the subsequent discharge into the Seine."

An underground storage basin, called "Austerlitz Basin," and a renovated sewer system and upgraded treatment plants were constructed in the city at a cost of $1.5 billion in preparation for the Olympics.

A recent report stated that the objective of the enhanced system was to gather excess rainwater to prevent wastewater from entering the Seine.

Heavy rains, however, could thwart those efforts.

Daily water testing

One week before the Olympic Games, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo publicly dipped in the waters on July 17 to demonstrate their safety for the triathlon and marathon events.

In some areas, levels of E. coli bacteria exceeded Europe's maximum safety limit of 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters.

Experts cautioned that the safety of the water cannot be determined by the presence of one person swimming in the river.

Iovine stated that the risk of aspirating river water is significantly higher during a highly strenuous activity, such as a competitive race, compared to a more relaxed dip in the Seine.

The city's website announced that Eau de Paris, the largest public water company in France, discovered that the Seine's water quality met the compliance thresholds of the European directive at all four monitoring points over four days during the week of July 17.

Early morning water testing is conducted during the Olympics to ensure the events run smoothly, officials state.

Typically, tests for total coliform bacteria are the focus, and other germs, such as viruses and parasites, are not screened for, according to Iovine.

The majority of coliforms, which are naturally present in the environment and in human and animal waste, are not harmful, and those that can cause illness are typically found in low concentrations that do not pose a risk, he stated.

Experts suggest that high levels of coliforms may indicate excessive fecal matter, which can lead to illness.

Significant numbers of pathogenic bacteria, like E. coli, could have entered the water, potentially making it unsafe if the amount of coliforms increases, Iovine warned.

Potentially harmful contaminants

According to the CDC, E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a group of bacteria in the intestinal tract that helps to digest food and protect the body from harmful germs.

Some types, however, can cause illness.

"I am concerned that if the level of harmful bacteria is too high, the athletes [could be] at risk for contracting gastrointestinal illness."

An infected person's waste can contaminate water, which can then infect people if swallowed.

The CDC reports that common bacterial symptoms include watery or bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, and vomiting that may be accompanied by a fever.

Iovine warned that other bacteria linked to sewage, including Enterococcus, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, can also cause similar infections.

She expressed concern that high levels of harmful bacteria could put athletes at risk for gastrointestinal illness.

If people have small nicks or abrasions on their skin before entering the water, they may develop skin and eye infections.

Iovine stated that parasites such as Giardia, amoebas, and Cryptosporidium, as well as viruses including norovirus, hepatitis A, and hepatitis E, may be present in both human and animal sewage.

Cherabuddi pointed out that symptoms of viruses and parasites are mainly stomach-related, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, but can also manifest as fevers, headaches, and respiratory or urinary problems.

He stated that symptoms could manifest within one to two days, but may appear a week or two later.

Iovine stated that pathogens carried by rodents can enter the river through overflow from rainwater.

Leptospires, a type of bacteria found in the urine of rodents, can cause leptospirosis, a bacterial disease.

According to Iovine, the condition can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, body aches, red eyes, fever, and headache.

If these young and healthy athletes get sick, they may recover quickly, but their ability to compete in their events could be affected.

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Individuals with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness than those with strong immune systems.

The International Olympics Committee and Eau de Paris were contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for comment.