River Seine Gets an Overdue Clean Up

There is a lot of repair work going on in Paris these days. Notre Dame Cathedral is almost restored after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the centuries old monument to Christianity. The largely wooden spire remains to be rebuilt. The River Seine has been the subject of restoration for decades. The urban river, like many around the world is too toxic to swim in let alone drink. Since 1923 the river has been off limit and a dump for untreated waste and abandoned bicycles. But with the Paris Summer Olympics approaching next year, the City of Lights is speeding up efforts to clean the river of romance so Olympians can race safely. City hall admitted it might have taken decades more effort to improve River Seine with a $1.5 billion project without the added motivation of the Summer Olympics.

The river will play a central role in the opening ceremonies, so it has to look good. This will be the first time since Ancient Greece that the games are opened outside a stadium. Athletes from 200 national teams will float down the Seine towards the setting sun. Six hundred thousand spectators along the banks are expected to add to the spectacular and unprecedented opening. More importantly, the water quality must be improved to where it poses no risk to marathon swimmers that will compete up to ten miles in its waters. A large element of expense is the creation of a large reservoir able to store 20 Olympic swimming pools of water that will be treated. Test swims will take place this summer. [the swans seem to like it; creditAP]

Beyond the games, citizens will be able to enjoy their river once again, perhaps taking a dip when one of the climate change induced heat waves envelope their city. The city is studying five potential bathing spots within Paris. River water is already improving, with more species of fish found besides the two or three able to withstand the gray-green bacteria infested water. It may take some time for Parisians to feel comfortable returning to their river that has been sick for so long.