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2026-08-08 07:05 UTC → 2026-08-20 13:02 UTC ·
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Czech reservoirs face deteriorating water quality trends and swimming safety bans
Continued investments in wastewater treatment have kept Czech rivers among the cleanest in the region. By 2016 more than 80 % of the population was connected to sewerage with treatment, water bodies are trending toward cleaner conditions overall, yet localized deteriorations and pollutant concentrations fell sharply, allowing over half of monitored bathing sites to achieve the highest water‑quality rating. Families now gather at Prague’s Branická beach recurring cyanobacterial blooms keep authorities alert. While many sites—such as Radava, Hejtman, Staňkovský ponds, and kayak beaches on the Vltava, while water‑safety instructors reiterate that certain inflatable flotation devices can cause shoulder injuries in children and recommend foam straps Lipno Reservoir—maintain excellent or rigid boards. At Plumlov Reservoir, routine sampling on 20 July 2026 showed a drop in visual clarity—from 1.0 m to 0.6 m—and a rise in chlorophyll‑a, prompting a downgrade from the top (blue smiley) to good ratings, several major reservoirs have faced significant declines. By mid-August 2026, conditions at the second‑level (green smiley) rating. Cyanobacterial counts remained within safe limits, and officials continued Plumlov Reservoir near Prostějov worsened significantly. After previously dropping to deem level 3, the water suitable for recreation, advising swimmers to shower afterwards and increasing monitoring frequency, including an extra check on 3 August that will also cover quality reached the nearby Poděbrady sand‑gravel lakes. However, a later assessment on 7 August reported that Plumlov’s overall water‑quality score had fallen to highest risk level 3 on the five‑point scale, leading hygienists (level 5) due to maintain high concentrations of cyanobacteria. This has resulted in a strict swimming ban first announced the previous summer. Similar concerns arose at the Orlík Reservoir prohibition, as exposure can cause skin rashes, eye irritation, or gastrointestinal issues. Hygienists have increased sampling to every 14 days, noting that phosphorus runoff and warm weather typically exacerbate quality issues in midsummer. In South Bohemia, where a level 5 rating the Orlík Reservoir’s Podolsko area previously triggered a temporary bathing prohibition. By contrast, many other sites—such as Radava, Hejtman, Staňkovský ponds ban with a level 5 rating. Meanwhile, the South Moravian Region faces widespread concerns: the lagoons of the Nové Mlýny and beaches on Letovice-Vranová reservoirs have been rated at level 4, failing to meet hygienic requirements and posing risks to children, pregnant women, and the Lipno Reservoir—still received excellent or good ratings. Regional health stations now conduct bi‑weekly tests immunocompromised. The Brno Reservoir has also reached level 3. Experts attribute these deteriorating conditions to warm weather and issue bans when droughts, which promote cyanobacteria exceed legal limits, underscoring a continued vigilance despite overall improvements. Overall, Czech water bodies are trending toward cleaner conditions, yet localized deteriorations and recurring cyanobacterial blooms keep authorities alert growth and monitoring intensified. reduce water flow.