Swimming banned on beaches in five towns on the Côte Fleurie in Calvados due to pollution

Swimming has been banned on the beaches of five towns on the Côte Fleurie in Calvados since Thursday noon, France Bleu Normandie (Calvados-Orne) reported on Friday, August 23. Red and purple flags were raised in Deauville, Trouville-sur-Mer, Benerville-sur-Mer, Blonville-sur-Mer and Villers-sur-Mer. The red flag means that swimming is prohibited, the purple one indicates that pollution is present.

Initial analyses have shown the presence of E. coli and enterococci bacteria in waterways upstream from the sea, where tests are regularly carried out, explains France Bleu Normandie. Communities are particularly vigilant in the summer, when there are more tourists on the beaches.

New analyses are underway on Friday morning to determine whether this pollution persists and whether swimming will soon be permitted. The results of these tests are expected by the end of the morning, around 11 a.m., before the lifeguard stations reopen. The municipality of Trouville-sur-Mer hopes that this pollution will pass quickly thanks to the high tidal coefficients, which exceed 100 this week.