Nine. This is the number of beaches in Finistère and Morbihan (Brittany) which are prohibited for swimming until further notice, after the discovery of E.Coli bacteria and fecal matter in the waters after recent heavy rains. Among the closed beaches, we find those of the archipelago of Glénan, Bananec, Drénec, Fort Cigogne and Saint-Nicolas, according to the decree issued by the town hall of Fouesnant-les-Glénan.
The archipelago, which is located 18 km from the coast, is renowned for its turquoise waters and its white sand which attracts several thousand tourists every day, indicates The Telegram. The regional daily notes that these restrictions have resulted in the cancellation of stays planned by tourists, and specifies that: “The Vedettes de l’Odet, which provide the bulk of the links to the archipelago, are registering numerous requests for reimbursement this Wednesday Morning “.
In addition to a fine, potential bathers risk falling ill
It was during the passage of the Patricia depression, at the beginning of August, that most of the orders were taken. Brittany being an agricultural land, “all it takes is a heavy rain for the bacteria which are contained in the manure of pigs or cows to reach the stream and then the beach”, explained to BFM TV Laurent Le Berre, Departmental Delegate for Waters and Rivers in Brittany.
But wild or accidental emptying of sewage from boaters is also pointed out. And even if it may be tempting, beware of those who would like to defy the ban on bathing. In addition to the 38 euros fine, the fine could especially be accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and headaches for offenders. “You can risk all diseases in -itis, gastroenteritis, otitis, conjunctivitis, anything that can affect the ENT sphere, even the digestive system”, concludes Laurent Le Berre.