Swimming advised against after elevated E. coli levels found

LSM reports that Latvia’s Health Inspectorate has advised people not to swim in Lake Saldus after an elevated concentration of Escherichia coli was detected in the water.

In Riga, swimming is also discouraged in the Buļļupe river and in the Daugava opposite 324 D Latgales Street. Swimming is prohibited in the Daugava opposite 320 Latgales Street.

As part of routine water-quality monitoring for the 2026 bathing season, samples were collected from 61 official bathing sites on July 27 and 28. Repeat samples were taken on July 30, with the results expected at the beginning of next week.

The recommendation primarily applies to vulnerable groups, including young children, older people and those with chronic illnesses whose immune systems are weakened. Water quality meets requirements at the other official bathing sites, where swimming is permitted.

Several days of rain were recorded around Saldus before the samples were collected. Heavy or prolonged rainfall can increase surface runoff and cause faecal pollution to enter bodies of water, temporarily raising microbiological pollution indicators.

During the bathing season, the Health Inspectorate checks water quality at official bathing sites once a month through laboratory and visual inspections. Laboratory tests measure concentrations of Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci, which indicate possible faecal pollution and may signal the presence of disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Visual inspections assess water colour, floating waste, oil products and the growth of blue-green algae.

Latvia’s official bathing season runs from May 15 to September 15. The next and final state monitoring samples of the 2026 season will be collected at all official bathing sites on August 24 and 25.