The bathing water quality is good almost everywhere, but still (very) cold

A spokesperson for Rijkswaterstaat tells NU.nl that the water quality is good for swimming almost everywhere in the Netherlands. But to be able to swim safely, the water temperature has to rise considerably.

With the summery weather lately, there are more people on the beaches and parks, and therefore in the water. From May 1 to October 1, the water agencies check the water quality of all official bathing places twice a week. Almost all eight hundred locations that can be found on this map have been confirmed. Rijkswaterstaat is also investigating 235 other seaside resorts, such as lakes and canals. Our advice is to only swim in official places as only these are under control.

During the inspection, we check for the presence of certain bacteria and blue-green algae in the water. These can cause illness, itching and diarrhea. Bacteria can enter the water through the faeces of animals and humans. The bathing water application allows you to easily view the water quality.

Risk of hypothermia if the water is too cold

But also at approved locations, according to the Royal Dutch Swimming Association (KNZB), it is unwise to swim outside at very low temperatures. The association warns against hypothermia and cramps when swimming outside without a wetsuit in water temperatures of 15 degrees or lower. KNZB advises to wear a wetsuit up to 18 degrees when swimming. This is not available everywhere yet.

For example, a KNZB spokesperson says that swimming meetings usually do not take place until mid-July. “Then the water became a bit warmer and the weather was more suitable for athletes,” said the spokesperson.

The water in the North Sea is currently only 12-13 degrees. According to Rijkswaterstaat and KNZB, it is still too cold to swim. View the temperature of other waters in the Netherlands on this map by Rijkswaterstaat.

Canals are “good quality”, but don’t go swimming there?

If you’re going to swim in casual swimming spots and tolerate the cold, watch out for strong currents and keep the water relatively clear. Cloudy water says little about water quality, but it is difficult to see what is on the bottom. The blue-green glow in the water may be an indication of blue-green algae.

Although the water in the Amsterdam canals is of very high quality, Waternet warns against swimming in these canals. Especially if it has rained, there is a risk that the sewage will run into the sewage system, causing a deterioration of the water quality.