A third of waterways in Flanders are filled with high concentrations of E. Coli bacteria, according to a study conducted by Flemish non-profit organisation Waterland, as reported by De Standaard.
Samples were collected by volunteers from 401 sites at rivers, canals, brooks, and bodies of water this month. Approximately 385 of the tests produced valid results. In a third of cases, E. Coli bacteria were found in excessively high concentrations, in excess of 2000 colonies per 100 millilitres.
Concerningly, 43% of the tested sites exceeded the Flemish authorities’ established bathing standard of less than 1000 colonies. Children, elderly citizens, and more vulnerable individuals are advised against bathing in such waters, where the threshold is exceeded.
Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacteria are highly pathogenic to humans, posing the risk of gastro-intestinal infections. These bacteria may contaminate watercourses in three ways: through manure, untreated domestic wastewater, or by sewage spilling into rivers during heavy rain.
Aquafin, responsible for wastewater treatment, notes that there is currently no specific standard for E. Coli. Meanwhile, the Flemish Environment Agency points out that E. Coli is not the benchmark for assessing water quality from an ecological standpoint, but its measurement serves as an indicator for bathing water quality.
