Baden-Württemberg: These bathing lakes are a no-go this year!

Baden-Württemberg: These bathing lakes are a no-go this year!

There is good news for all bathing enthusiasts in Baden-Württemberg: the water quality in almost all of the state's bathing lakes is excellent. The Ministry of Health has assessed 311 regularly monitored bathing sites and found that 97% are rated as “very good” or “good” for bathing. Health Minister Manne Lucha emphasizes that the water quality is above average compared to other European countries. However, special attention should be paid to some swimming lakes.

For the current bathing season, which started on June 1st and lasts until September 15th, the ministry advises caution in certain places. The situation is particularly critical at Lake Sunthauser in Bad Dürrheim, which has been closed since 2021 due to increased microbiological contamination. Swimming is also not recommended at the Metzisweiler Weiher in Bad Wurzach, as increased microbiological levels have been found there.

Bathing lakes with sufficient quality

There are also four bathing areas where the water quality was classified as “sufficient”:

• Badesee Buch in Rainau (Ostalbkreis)
• Stausee in Mulfingen (Hohenlohekreis)
• Badesee Hermuthausen in Ingelfingen (Hohenlohekreis)
• Baggersee Eggenstein in Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen (Kreis Karlsruhe)

The hygienic pollution in bathing lakes is often the result of heavy rain or a high number of water birds. The ministry strongly advises that you follow the current recommendations, information and warnings for the bathing lakes in order to guarantee carefree bathing pleasure.

Regular monitoring

To ensure water quality, the health authorities take samples at least monthly during the swimming season. These are checked for bacterial contamination and the overall hygienic situation of the bathing areas. In special cases, such as after heavy rainfall, checks are carried out more frequently. This ensures that bathers can enjoy the waters safely. It is advisable to consult the interactive bathing water map provided by the Ministry in order to be always informed about the current water quality.

Anyone interested in water quality in other parts of Germany can view a Germany-wide map on the Federal Environment Agency website. In the last bathing season, 2,291 bathing waters were examined across the country, of which almost 91% received the grade “excellent”. This means that the overall quality of bathing water in Germany remains good to very good, which also benefits holidaymakers in Baden-Württemberg. However, it should be noted that swimming in rivers is often discouraged as they are not officially controlled and may contain microbiological contamination.

For a relaxing day at the bathing lake, information is the be-all and end-all. The bathing water map is available online in interactive form and is regularly updated to provide all bathing enthusiasts with current information. Therefore, you should always consult the latest data before your visit.