Plastic alarm in the bathing lakes of Upper Austria: In many places small plastic particles float through the cool blue. However, the extent to which our waters are actually polluted cannot be reliably determined due to inadequate measurement methods. The bacterial load has also increased after the storms.
As reported, Greenpeace has detected microplastics in seven popular bathing waters in Austria, the fewest of which are in Lake Attersee with 1.1 microplastic particles per litre. The fact that plastic particles from tires, clothing, packaging or building materials are found in lakes, so to speak, calms and worries the mayor of Attersee, the green Rudi Hemetsberger, in equal measure. It is important to take Greenpeace’s results seriously and not wait for “microplastics to become a real problem in our lakes”.
Need better methods
First, we need more information about the current state of our lakes. “Secondly, the use of plastic and thus the mountains of plastic waste must be reduced much more quickly,” explains Hemetsberger. However, the detailed current status is not so straightforward, as the Environmental Council member Stefan Kaineder, also a Green, states: “The sampling methods are challenging and have not yet been satisfactorily answered, the Federal Environmental Service is currently working on them.
Load in rivers multiplied
After that, the intention is to start a representative long-term measurement program in order to fully map the situation in the Upper Austrian waters.” A little more is known about microplastics in rivers: the load (less than 5 mm ) of the Danube and its larger tributaries (Inn, Drau, etc.) have multiplied since the 1960s.
Also bacterial contamination
Another form of pollution is currently also polluting Upper Austrian rivers: heavy rainfall or thunderstorms can wash unwanted germs or agricultural pollution into the water. This also applies to the current storms – this is confirmed by an investigation by the state of Upper Austria. Even bathing is currently not recommended in the Schwertberg river bath – the bacterial load was already very high during the analysis in mid-July and an investigation into the current storms is still ongoing.
Excellent bathing water almost everywhere
A moderate bacteriological load poses no danger to swimmers. Nevertheless, it is advisable to take a shower after swimming at the Ager in Oberachmann, at the Krems in Neuhofen, at the Rodl in Grammastetten and at the Traun in Linz-Ebelsberg. With the lakes, on the other hand, there is no reason to worry, even after the storms: only the Weikerlsee in Linz and the Holzöstersee in Franking are just above the limit values. All other lakes in the state were rated “excellent” in the August 9 EU swimming area survey. So nothing stands in the way of cool fun in the bathing lakes of Upper Austria.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
