Swimming is also prohibited at the beaches by the Daugava River at Lucavsala and in the Lucavsala Bay in Riga, at the "Martinšala" beach by the Venta River in Kuldiga, at Lake Saldus, and at the seaside beach in Salacgriva. The quality of water at swimming sites has been affected by extreme weather conditions on August 22, including heavy rains and a storm that impacted almost the entire territory of Latvia. Several water bodies were contaminated due to the storm and precipitation. Under the influence of heavy rains and coastal waves, biological pollution was washed into the water bodies, and due to the overload and overflow of stormwater drainage systems, additional pollution may have entered the water. Increased microbiological contamination has been detected in the water at seven inland beaches and one seaside beach. In the remaining 53 official swimming sites, the microbiological indicators of the water meet the standards, and swimming is permitted there. Health Inspection specialists remind that the swimming ban applies to all population groups. Swimming in such water carries an increased risk of contracting infectious diseases of the skin, mucous membranes, or gastrointestinal tract. The recommendation not to swim particularly applies to sensitive groups of the population - small children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases whose immune systems are weakened. Repeated water samples for swimming will be taken on August 28, and the results of the analyses will be known at the beginning of next week. The quality of water at official swimming sites is checked both laboratory-wise and visually once a month during the swimming season. The official swimming season in Latvia lasts from May 15 to September 15. This week, water samples at official swimming sites are being taken for the last time in this year's swimming season. The next time water samples for microbiological studies at official inland and seaside swimming areas will be taken is in May 2027, before the start of the swimming season.
