Not a swimmer has dipped a toe in it for almost four years.
There are always diehards to come and splash around in the bay of Aytré, a beach located just next to La Rochelle.
However, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Nouvelle-Aquitaine ordered it closed to swimming in the summer of 2018 for five years.
In question, Escherichia coli and enterococcus, two bacteria, which testify to the faecal pollution of this small piece of the Atlantic where there is little current.
Their presence in the water can in particular cause severe intestinal disorders in users.
To hope to swim again in Aytré, European regulations require you to obtain good test results for three consecutive years.
So far, 2021 has been the only year without exceeding the regulatory threshold.
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This summer, it will therefore still be forbidden to dip there.
A blow for the regulars of this popular tourist site.
Only water sports enthusiasts can indulge in their leisure activities on this renowned kitesurfing spot.
Which, however, are largely in contact with water.
"These are the paradoxes of the regulations," sighs the mayor of the town, Tony Loisel.
Like many of his fellow citizens, the elected official is trying to understand why the bay of Aytré is polluted while the neighboring oyster farms are in the nails.
Horses in the dock
A call for applications was therefore launched in 2018 by the Coastline, Environment and Society Institute (LIENSs) of La Rochelle University for a thesis to be carried out on this subject.
Last January, Mery Ndione defended her thesis after three years of work on the identification of sources of faecal contamination in this space.
45 sampling campaigns later, the results show a multifactorial source, but more of animal than human origin.
“We used different biological markers and there is a marked presence of mostly equine signals, but also canine and avian.
Humans are in the minority.
These animals frequent the beach and there could be hyper-contamination due to the fact that the site is landlocked, with non-renewal of the waters.
Periods of heavy rain also seem to favor contamination, as do high water temperatures in summer.
These are the first leads, ”explains the doctoral student.
“I am going to issue an order to prohibit riders from accessing the bay next winter and we will see, after a year, if this reduces pollution”
Tony Loisel, the mayor of Aytré
Mery Ndione wants to be cautious, because “studies are still in progress and these data must be confirmed.
My thesis highlighted the limits of analytical methods and laboratories are implementing other sampling methods”.
On the other hand, she is categorical on the fact that this contamination is not linked to the possible presence of pesticides as certain rumors predicted.
The mayor of Aytré has already decided to take action following these thesis results.
“The equine markers are in the vast majority.
Many riders come for a ride in winter, in summer they are not allowed.
I'm going to issue an order to prohibit them from entering the bay next winter and we'll see, after a year, if that reduces the pollution.
We also asked the ARS to analyze two canals located nearby to see if there is the presence of markers, particularly equine markers, ”he announces.
The first magistrate also affirms that a reopening “could be envisaged in 2023 if we follow a precise protocol.
For example, if there is significant rainfall (greater than 6 mm) conducive to pollution, we will prohibit access to swimming for three days.
Thanks to research work, we are now able to draw up a pollution diagram so that could be a solution.
There is no question of letting go on this file, ”concludes the elected official.
