Paris, France - In a disconcerting discovery, the Seine River has once again tested positive for unsafe levels of E. coli contamination for the third consecutive week. Test results published on Friday by monitoring group Eau de Paris reveal that the contamination levels consistently exceed the safe limit set by the World Triathlon Federation for competitions, which is 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters. These findings come less than a month before the Paris Olympics are set to begin.

Scheduled to host marathon swimming and triathlon events near the Alexandre III bridge, the Seine River's water quality poses a potential risk to athletes and spectators participating in the renowned sporting event. The persistent rainfall in the region has further aggravated the issue, as the rainwater infiltrates the sewer system, leading to the discharge of fecal bacteria into the river.

According to the report, the recent flooding of the Yonne River, a tributary of the Seine, has also contributed to increased flow and contamination levels in the Seine River. However, efforts have been made to mitigate the situation. A new 50,000 cubic meter reservoir, inaugurated in May, was successfully utilized for the first time on June 18 and 19. It prevented approximately 40,000 cubic meters of wastewater from seeping into the Seine, providing some relief to the ongoing issue.

Despite the alarming contamination levels, organizers of the Paris Olympics remain optimistic about the situation. Tony Estanguet, head of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, expressed confidence that "things should settle down" by the second half of July. Marc Guillaume, the Paris region prefect in charge of the Seine, also shared a positive outlook, suggesting that the weather would improve in the coming weeks and that the full effects of the mitigation plan would be implemented when summer weather arrives.

It is important to note that water quality in major cities can be influenced by various factors, including runoff, illegal dumping of chemicals, and boat traffic. While efforts are being made to address the current contamination issue in the Seine River, it remains crucial to monitor and mitigate potential sources of pollution to ensure the safety of athletes and the public during the Paris Olympics.

The Paris 2024 organizing committee and relevant authorities will continue to closely monitor the situation, implementing necessary measures to ensure the water quality meets the required standards for the upcoming Olympic events.