the essential
With the sunny days finally returning, it won’t be long before it’s time for swimming. To be sure to swim in good conditions, the ARS lists the sites with the best water qualities.
Like every year, ARS Occitanie publishes its list of bathing waters in the region, based on figures from the previous year. In total, 92% of freshwater swimming is classified as excellent or good quality in Occitanie, results similar to the previous year.
“The quality of bathing water in the Lot department is generally of good quality and stable compared to previous years,” indicates the ARS. At the department level, 14 bathing areas obtain the best rating of “excellent quality”, 5 are of “good quality”, 1 of “sufficient quality” and 1 of “insufficient quality”. 24 swimming sites have been identified by town halls for the 2024 season.
Document provided by ARS Occitanie
Lot Valley
The water from the Douelle, Luzech and Castelfranc sites is classified as “excellent quality”. These areas also benefit from developments and surveillance, except Douelle which does not have qualified personnel for surveillance.
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Of the 25 bathing sites in the Lot, which ones have excellent water quality, which ones are better to avoid?
Dordogne Valley
On the Dordogne valley side, the Vayrac and Gloges sites in Montvalent remain classified as having excellent water quality, as in the previous year. The beach of the old oak in Montvalent, at La Bourgnette in Meyraguet in Lacave at the beach at the port in Creysse was “average” at the start of the season and “good” at the end of the season, indicates the ARS.
Document provided by ARS Occitanie
Célé Valley
Bathers will be able to enjoy the water at the Liauzu site in Orniac, which remains classified as excellent quality. It should also be noted that the Sauliac sur Célé and Brengues sites have seen their rankings deteriorate slightly to “good quality” and “sufficient quality” respectively. The other sites maintain stable water quality.
Bodies of water
All bodies of water which offer a swimming activity are developed and monitored. In Catus, Gourdon, Montcuq en Quercy Blanc, Sénaillac-Latronquière, Lamothe-Fénelon, Frayssinet and Tauriac, the water quality is excellent. On the Cazals lake side, the water remains of good quality.
Read also :
Good information for swimming safely this summer
Black spot in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Like last year, the classification of the Saint-Cirq-Lapopie site is insufficient “due to two samples having exceeded the alert thresholds set by ANSES in 2022”, indicates the ARS. Swimming is therefore not recommended. The ARS also specifies: “In 2023, health control was reinforced by three additional samples. No exceeding of the alert thresholds was recorded. The samples of June 13, July 4, 8, 16 and 21 August were described as “good”, those of July 17, 25 and 31 as “average”.
Water quality assessment criteria
The quality of bathing water is assessed using two types of indicators by the ARS:
– Based on field observations, the laboratory sampler analyzes the physicochemical parameters on site and collects information: pH, change in water color, presence of floating waste, site attendance, etc.
– Microbiological parameters (bacteria): pollution of bathing water is essentially of fecal origin. Sewage from homes, animal droppings and discharged effluent can cause poor water quality. Rain is also a factor to take into account.
Degraded water quality can lead to conditions such as ENT and/or gastrointestinal disorders.
