Bacteria over the limits in Garda, bathing ban at Spiaggia dei Pini in Purfina

25 June 2024

RIVA DEL GARDA. Before going up to Trento and attending the Council of Local Authorities, yesterday morning, the mayor of Riva Cristina Santi signed a contingent and urgent ordinance ordering the prohibition of bathing at the 'Spiaggia dei Pini' (in Purfina therefore) due to 'the exceeding of the limits of the microbiological parameters at the sampling point', as the communication that arrived around lunchtime from Palazzo Pretorio states.
Bacteria therefore exceeding regulatory limits, in this case, and in scientific terms, enterococci and escherichia coli, as confirmed by the manager of the hygiene and public health operative unit, Francesco Pizzo. The bathing ban extends from the Porto San Nicolò area to the jetty along the beach coming down from via Kafka, about 300 metres therefore.

This is the first time ever that a case of pollution has triggered a bathing ban on one of the most popular and popular beaches for both residents and tourists. And it all happens just a few days before the official start of summer, with an already considerable presence of tourists, especially foreigners. Not exactly the best for the image of Riva and Trentino Garda.

Yesterday morning, after an inspection by the Health Authority and Appa personnel, initial checks were carried out with respect to a possible failure or malfunctioning of the purification plant (under provincial jurisdiction) and with respect to the sewerage system managed by Ags. These verifications were negative.
The sampling that revealed the exceeding of the limits of certain bacteria (harmful to health) dates back to 10 June, three days ago. A second sampling to confirm or otherwise that data is scheduled. Everyone's hope, of course, is that the alarm will be lifted as soon as possible, even if there is uncertainty about the timing.

"Between samplings and verifications to understand the causes, we should usually have precise answers within a week," Dr. Francesco Pizzo notes again. With the weather improving and temperatures set to rise even considerably, the outlook is not the best.
"Certainly this is not good news,' admits the president of the Garda Dolomiti Tourist Board, Silvio Rigatti, 'But I tend to look at the positive side of things: let's say that thanks to the surveys, analyses, and constant monitoring, we can rest assured about the health of our lake. Having said that, it is obvious that the causes must be researched and identified'.

The rise in bacterial values is "an event that can happen and has happened elsewhere in the past," Province manager Francesco Pizzo continues. "I believe that this episode was caused by an external agent, certainly connected with man's activity, while I would tend to rule out," continues the manager of the hygiene and public health operative unit, "that it was triggered by the rainfall, even substantial rainfall, of the last few days, otherwise we would have had positive findings on other beaches and coastlines. There is no cause for alarmism, but it is also true that we are dealing with transmissible bacteria that represent, in the values found, a significant risk'.

One last note: Mayor Santi digitally signed the ordinance ordering the bathing ban yesterday morning before going up to Trento and attending the Council of Autonomies. Until 3.30 p.m. yesterday, there was no sign on the entire 'incriminated' stretch informing bathers of the ban. And more than one person, despite the 16-degree water, was in the water. The notices were posted later.


Read the full article on: https://www.ladige.it/territori/riva-arco/2024/06/13/batteri-sopra-i-limiti-l-acqua-del-garda-alla-purfina-e-una-fogna-divieto-di-balneazione-ai-pini-1.3809598