Will the Seine be clean enough by the Olympics? Not even the experts know yet

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on AP News or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: With the Paris Olympics approaching, concerns arise about whether the Seine River will be clean enough for athletes to swim in
• Despite efforts to improve water quality, recent tests have shown fluctuating levels of E. coli

🔭 The context: Paris has invested 1.4 billion euros in infrastructure to capture stormwater and prevent wastewater from polluting the Seine
• A giant underground water storage basin, holding the equivalent of 20 Olympic pools of dirty water, was inaugurated in May to help achieve this goal

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Ensuring clean water in the Seine highlights broader environmental challenges cities face in managing stormwater and wastewater, crucial for sustainable urban living and public health

⏭️ What's next: If heavy rain impacts water quality during the Games, the triathlon swimming portion may be canceled, and marathon swimming events relocated
• Continuous monitoring will determine if the new infrastructure can maintain safe water levels

💬 One quote: "To see such a drastic improvement and so rapidly could be a sign that something is working," said Dan Angelescu, CEO of Fluidion

📈 One stat: Paris has seen the second-most days with rain in 2024 since 1950, surpassed only by 2016

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