The swimming ban at the Mantereenpää beach has been lifted. On 8.8.2023, the South Satakunta Environmental Health Authority decided to ban swimming at the Mantereenpää beach sauna in Rauma. The ban was due to elevated levels of enterococcus bacteria found in swimming water samples taken from the beach. Since the decision was issued, the beach has been sampled regularly to monitor bathing water quality. Samples taken from the beach on 15 August 2023 and 22 August 2023 showed levels of both enterococci and E.coli well below the action thresholds. On 25 August 2023, the Director of Environmental Health decided to lift the bathing ban.
The swimming ban imposed on 3 August 2023 on the Lillonkari beach in Rauma is still in place. Intestinal enterococci in the swimming water samples taken from the beach are still well above the action limit, which is why the bathing ban cannot be lifted.
The monitoring of swimming water quality involves regular testing for enterococci and Escherichia coli. The purpose of these tests is to detect possible faecal contamination of bathing water. Bathing in faecally contaminated bathing water carries a risk of illness. Various disease-causing bacteria, viruses and protozoa may be present. Swimming in contaminated water can cause stomach upsets, skin infections or eye infections.