The ARS held its traditional situation update around swimming in the region. For the Gers department, the water quality is classified as “excellent”.
The summer season can begin safely. The ARS d’Occitanie, which controls the 452 sites in the region, confirms an “excellent” quality of the bathing points in the Gers. A classification of water quality which is calculated over 4 years of results (2019-2022). Of the 10 sites, nine are classified with the maximum index.
The last one, which is the Uby lake in Cazaubon, does not yet show results given its recent reopening. But according to Frédéric Fournier, engineer in health studies for the regional health agency (ARS) of Gers, “this lake should not present any particular problems because the first indications are favorable”. The results will be known by the end of 2023.
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Future of water: Gers citizens have made their recommendations after three months of consultation
Over the year 2022, 72 samples were taken with monitoring of cyanobacteria or blue algae that can cause health problems or even death in dogs, for example. In the department, this bacterium is not present, so there is, for the moment, no risk in the ten Gers bathing sites.
Frédéric Fournier explains the water quality analysis process: “We achieve this thanks to analysis results. We take samples and then it goes to a laboratory commissioned by the ARS. With regard to these analyses, we see if the water is of good quality or not and we can then act accordingly.”
Drowning, drought, fires…prevention continues
Faced with the increase in drownings, the Ministry of Health and the competent authorities are mobilizing to fight against this scourge which particularly concerns young children and seniors. The SDIS recalls the actions to be taken such as learning to swim as soon as possible, monitoring children at all times or even increased vigilance when swimming in above-ground swimming pools which have no safety device.
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Water use: 800 checks planned in the Gers in the face of a worrying drought situation
Another scourge worries the firefighters who continue their prevention around the risk of fire. The Gers is mainly affected by the outbreak of stubble fires, as it does not have large forest massifs.
Water management is also singled out with the drought that is settling in the south of France. The authorities remind us of the need to be careful with water consumption and not to overuse it.
A shuttle should circulate in the department during the summer to carry out preventive actions as close as possible to the citizens of Gers.