the essential
The water quality of the 10 natural water swimming sites in the Gers, subject to microbiological analyses, is judged “excellent” according to the latest report from the Regional Health Agency (ARS). A good omen for bathers before the arrival of summer.
“To preserve the health of bathers throughout the summer season, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) controls the quality of bathing water in conjunction with site managers throughout Occitanie.” In its report (1), released at the beginning of the week, the ARS provides an overview of the region’s water quality. In the Gers, 10 natural water sites are concerned. Inventory before putting on the swimsuit and taking a dip.
68 samples distributed over 10 sites
But before distributing good and bad points, we still need to have the data to do so. Natural waters are thus subject to health control organized by the ARS and implemented by the bathing site managers (communities or site manager). The results of the analyzes then make it possible to classify the sites according to water quality. But we will come back to that.
Read also :
Swimming in the Gers: discover the essential spots to cool off!
Last year alone, during the 2023 bathing season (between June 15 and September 15, 2023 for the sea and depending on the opening dates of each freshwater site), 3,717 samples were taken on the 446 sites bathing areas in Occitanie, including 154 in sea water and 292 in fresh water.
DDM archives – SEBASTIEN LAPEYRERE
As for Gers, last year, health analyzes concerned 10 bathing sites (see box). The inspection program represented 68 samples.
Water coloring, pH, bacteria…
“The sampling points are always identical and defined in the zone of maximum bather attendance or in the zone which presents the greatest risk of pollution,” explains the ARS. For each sample taken, bacteriological analyzes are then carried out by laboratories approved by the Ministry of Health. The results of these analyzes are known 48 hours after collection.
The quality of bathing water is assessed using two types of indicators: on the basis of physico-chemical parameters and the collection of information (pH, change in water color, presence of floating waste, use of the site) ; and after analysis of microbiological parameters (bacteria). Wastewater from homes, animal droppings and discharged effluent, but also precipitation, can be the cause of poor water quality.
DDM archives – SEBASTIEN LAPEYRERE
“On a microbiological level, none of the samples taken presented poor results, informs the ARS. These good results can be explained by very favorable climatic conditions during the summer (absence of rainfall, runoff and contamination bathing areas).”
“Excellent” rating
Taking into account these results, in the evaluation scale (2) of swimming sites in Occitanie, with 4 levels of quality (excellent, good, sufficient, insufficient), the Gers department is a hit. The water quality is in fact considered “excellent” for the 10 sites. Gers residents and tourists passing through the department can therefore, while waiting for their openings, already prepare their swimsuits, beach towels and sunscreen!
DDM archives – SEBASTIEN LAPEYRERE
A water quality that is also found in the four corners of the region. Still according to the ARS report, in 2023, “100% of sea bathing water and 92% of fresh water in Occitania are classified as excellent or good quality”.
The 10 natural water swimming sites in the Gers
From north to south, from west to east, the Gersois and tourists are rather well off in summer in terms of lakes open (and supervised) for swimming. Here is the list: Lake Uby (Cazaubon), Lake Forest (Aignan), Lake Lupiac, Lake Castéra-Verduzan, Lake 3 Valleys (Lectoure), Lake Escapa (Estipouy), Lake Seissan, Lake Saramon, Lake Saint-Cricq (Thoux), and the Gimone dam (Saint-Blancard).
