The Seine River in Paris remains dangerously polluted for swimmers as the Summer Olympics approach

There are only 28 days left until the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics, and tests on the historic Seine River show that the water remains at dangerous levels of contamination with E. coli bacteria, which are often linked to fecal bacteria.

The test, conducted by the Paris Water Monitoring Group of the city mayor’s office, showed that pollution levels in four different areas were above the safe limit of 900 colony-forming units per 100 millilitres, the limit set by the World Triathlon Union.

In addition to the triathlon events, marathon swimmers are scheduled to dive into the river to participate in their events. The three triathlon events will be held from July 30 to August 5, while the marathon swimming races will be held on August 8 and 9.

E. coli, along with Enterobacteriaceae, can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and blood poisoning when ingested. The latest findings mark the third week in a row that river samples have contained unsafe levels of the bacteria associated with feces.

A “good water quality” rating is less than 500 colony-forming units of E. coli per 100 milliliters of water and less than 200 colony-forming units of enterococci.

It has been illegal to swim in the river since 1923. Paris spent $1.5 billion to build a water reservoir and a network of underground sewers and treatment plants to capture sewage during rainstorms that normally flows into the river.

However, the recent period of heavy rains — which were also responsible for wreaking havoc at the French Open — has washed more sewage and wastewater into the waterway. In April, Tony Estanguet, the president of Paris 2024, told CBS that the Olympics could be postponed if the rains continue into the Games.

Summer weather should help with cleanup efforts, as the dry period and summer sun will help kill some of the bacteria.

Previously, organizers said there was no plan B or back-up venue in case the rainy weather persisted. One option might be to turn the triathlon into a duathlon consisting solely of cycling and running.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo continued to say that their decade-long efforts would get the picturesque river ready in time for the events. Both said they plan to swim in the river to prove its cleanliness.

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(Photo: MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)