Berlin, June 18 (AP) – A century after Berlin prohibited swimming in the Spree River due to severe pollution that posed health risks, there's a revival of interest among enthusiasts eager to reclaim this waterway for recreational use.
Around 200 individuals made a splash in the slow-moving, greenish waters near the Mitte neighborhood's Museum Island on Tuesday, demonstrating not only the river's improved quality but also the joy of swimming in it.
Fluss Bad Berlin, also known as River Pool Berlin, has been advocating for years to reinstate swimming in the Spree River.
"For 100 years now, people have not been allowed to swim in the inner-city Spree, and we no longer think this is justified," said Jan Edler, a board member of Fluss Bad Berlin, who organized the swim-in. "We can show that the water quality is usually good enough to go swimming during the season."
In order to bypass the ban, the group registered their swim-in as an official protest.
Edler stood on a small staircase leading down to the Spree canal, emphasizing the desire to make the river a recreational space again. He cited the thorough cleanup efforts and continuous water quality monitoring as reasons for this change.
Even officials in Berlin’s central Mitte district have expressed interest in reintroducing river swimming by 2026.
"There are still many things that need to be clarified, but I am optimistic that it can succeed," district city councilor Ephraim Gothe told the German news agency dpa.
Supporters highlight the example of Paris, where swimming in the Seine River was permitted for the Olympic Games and is set to open for locals this summer. Swimming was banned there since 1923.
In Vienna, people dive into the Danube River canal, while Basel residents enjoy the Rhine, and Amsterdam offers designated swim areas in its canals.
In contrast, Berlin has maintained a swimming prohibition in the Spree since May 1925, when toxic water led to the closure of river pools, depriving many, especially the less fortunate, of essential amenities.
Currently, the water is generally clean, barring pollution spikes from heavy rainfalls.
Reinstating swimming would require relaxing historical monument protections to build access points and lifeguard stations.
Moreover, busy boat traffic presents a hazard to swimmers. Nevertheless, Fluss Bad Berlin's immediate goal is to open a nearly two-kilometer canal section free of boat activity.
In a city of 3.9 million, additional cooling venues are necessary, as outdoor pools often reach capacity on hot summer days.
"The cities are getting hotter," Edler remarked. "It's also a question of environmental justice to provide options for those who can't escape the city to find relief."
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