Brabant’s main lifeguard does not wear a whistle and does not sit in a high chair. He visits the most important swimming pools with sample bottles. Water researcher Scott van Nieuwenhoven checks whether the bathing water is safe. He thus indirectly determines whether we can jump into the water without any worries this summer or whether we would be better off staying on our towel.
“If I don’t do my job well, there are risks involved. That feels like a great responsibility,” says Scott as he walks into the water of the Binnenschelde in Bergen op Zoom. It is one of ten locations he samples in one day.
In his waterproof suit, seen from the beach, he looks most like a fisherman. When the water reaches his waist, he fills the sample jars. Scott carries out an initial quick analysis on site, including oxygen content, acidity and turbidity. The water is then further examined in the laboratory.
Blue-green algae remains the biggest pest for swimmers
The water research laboratory AQUON analyzes and monitors bathing water quality in the vast majority of the province on behalf of three water boards. During the swimming season, from May to the end of September, the approximately 90 official swimming water locations are sampled every two weeks by Scott and his colleagues.
For swimming enthusiasts, the presence of blue-green algae is an important spoilsport. Blue-green algae contains natural toxins that can cause nausea, stomach pain and skin irritation. For a healthy adult it is usually not very serious; it won’t kill you. But for a dog, for example, the consequences can be serious.
“It is naturally found in the bottom of surface water. When it is very warm for a longer period of time, blue-green algae can grow quickly. You can see this in green speckles or even green layers in the water,” Scott explains.
In addition to blue-green algae, the swimming water in our province is checked for the presence of E. coli bacteria. These poop bacteria are also usually not life-threatening, but they can make you seriously ill.
Scott also likes to be in the water in his spare time
Despite the many hours that Scott spends in the water because of his work, he also likes to take a dip in the fresh air in his private life. “Especially when the weather is nice, and of course I know exactly where the most beautiful places are.”
His and his colleagues’ measurements are processed and collected. On the website swimwater.nl you can view the current situation of your favorite swimming water. For the time being, negative swimming advice applies to the Binnenschelde.
