Currently, swimming is banned at the Sigulda bathing beach "Gauja", as well as at the Ķīpsala and Rumbula bathing beaches in Rīga, while in Jūrmala swimming is not allowed at the Asari and Melluži beaches.
As Normunds Kadiķis, head of the Inspectorate's Environmental Health Department, explained on Latvian Radio's "Afternoon" program, elsewhere there is a recommendation not to swim - this is the mildest form of prohibition and mainly applies to the most vulnerable groups - young children, elderly people, people with weakened immune systems.
The advice not to swim is in force at the Jūrmala sea bathing sites in Bulduri, Dubulti, Dzintari, Lielupe, Majori, and Pumpuri, at the Salaspils city bathing site in Daugava, as well as at the Jelgava Lielupe bathing site "Lielupe right bank bathing site" and at the Saldus lake bathing site.
As the municipalities of Jūrmala and Jelgava continue to drain flood water from the flooded areas, it is recommended not to swim at the Jūrmala sea bathing sites in Jaunķemeri, Vaivari, and Kauguri, the Jūrmala Lielupe bathing sites in Ezeru Street and Priedaine, and the Jelgava Lielupe bathing site on Pasta Island.
Swimmers in Ķīpsala were not bothered by water pollution on Monday, Latvian Television reports. "I think we live in a very polluted environment, so it is part of our life, so we cannot avoid it," said Barbara, who was at Ķīpsala. Tomašs added: "Yes, I don't care. This is summer time and I enjoy the water and the weather."
You can follow the water quality of official bathing sites on the Health Inspectorate's website.
