Can Paris fix its poop problem before the Olympics?

Summary

The script discusses the challenges Paris faces in preparing for the 2024 Summer Olympics, particularly the plan to hold open water swimming events in the Seine River, which has been polluted for a century. Despite the city's ambitious underground infrastructure project to mitigate sewage overflow, recent water tests revealed high E. coli levels, posing health risks. The Austerlitz Basin, part of a $1.5 billion project, aims to reduce combined sewer overflow but does not guarantee swimmability. The success of the events and the mayor's and president's promises to swim in the Seine hinge on overcoming these environmental hurdles.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Paris is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics with the Seine River as a central feature, including an historic opening ceremony.
• 🌊 The Seine has been historically polluted, with swimming banned for a century due to sewage overflow during heavy rain.
• 🏊‍♂️ Open water swimming events were planned for the Olympics, but water quality concerns with E. coli have been a challenge.
• 👍 Mayor Anne Hidalgo and President Emmanuel Macron expressed confidence in the river's cleanliness, even pledging to swim in it.
• 🚧 A massive underground infrastructure project, costing 1.5 billion USD, was built to manage sewage overflow and improve the Seine's quality.
• 🔄 The Austerlitz Basin, part of the project, is designed to hold excess water during heavy rains to prevent sudden contamination of the Seine.
• 🌐 Similar issues with water quality have affected past Olympic Games in Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.
• 🚫 A preliminary event in the Seine in August 2023 was canceled due to high E. coli levels, indicating ongoing water quality issues.
• 📉 The goal is to reduce the number of times sewer overflow gates need to be opened into the Seine, from 10-15 times to twice a year.
• 🏞️ Beyond the Olympics, Paris aims to make the Seine swimmable for the public, with plans to open swimming sites post-Olympics in 2025.

Q & A

Why was the Seine River considered a key feature for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris?

The Seine River was considered a key feature for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris because it runs along some of the city's most famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, and the mayor, Anne Hidalgo, wanted to use it for an historic opening ceremony and open water swimming events.

Why has swimming in the Seine been banned for a century?

Swimming in the Seine has been banned for a century due to the presence of human waste in the river, which is a result of sewage overflow during heavy rain when the city's underground sewer systems get overwhelmed.

What infrastructure project has been built near the Seine to address water quality issues for the Olympics?

An enormous underground infrastructure project, including the Austerlitz Basin, has been built near the Seine with a 13.2 million gallon capacity underground reservoir and tunnel to prevent sudden contamination from combined sewer overflow and ensure water quality for the Olympics.

What are the water quality standards for open water swimming events during the Olympics?

For an open water swimming event to be approved, water samples must not exceed 1,000 colony forming units (cfu) of E. coli per 100ml of water and 400 cfu of enterococci, which are bacteria associated with feces.

What is the significance of the Austerlitz Basin in the context of the 2024 Olympics?

The Austerlitz Basin is part of a 1.5 billion USD infrastructure project aimed at cleaning up the Seine. It serves to hold excess water during heavy rainstorms, preventing the sewers from becoming overwhelmed and reducing the frequency of sewer overflow into the Seine.

What challenges have been faced in the journey to clean up the Seine for the Olympics?

Challenges include the cancellation of a preliminary event in August 2023 due to unacceptable levels of E. coli in the water, and the ongoing need to manage combined sewer overflow to prevent sudden contamination.

How does a combined sewer system contribute to water contamination during heavy rain?

A combined sewer system, used in many cities, handles both wastewater and stormwater. During heavy rain, the sewers can become too full, leading to the partial redirection of the excess combined wastewater and stormwater to nearby waterways, causing a spike in E. coli levels.

What is the role of the BetterHelp sponsor mentioned in the script?

BetterHelp is an online therapy service sponsor mentioned in the script that offers a platform for individuals to connect with licensed therapists for mental health support, which is unrelated to the main topic of the Seine River and the Olympics.

What is the long-term vision for the Seine River beyond the 2024 Olympic Games?

The long-term vision for the Seine River includes making it swimmable again for Parisians, with plans to open three swimming sites to the general public in 2025, thanks to the efforts initiated for the Olympic Games.

What is the current situation regarding the plan to host the opening ceremony along the Seine?

French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that there are backup plans for the opening ceremony if the security risk due to water quality is too high, suggesting that the final decision will depend on conditions closer to the event.

How will the possibility of open water swimming events being held be determined during the Olympics?

The possibility of open water swimming events will be determined hours before the events based on water quality tests, and they will be at the mercy of weather conditions, particularly rain, which could affect water quality.

Outlines

00:00

🏊‍♂️ Paris 2024 Olympics and Seine River Challenges

The script discusses the ambitious plans for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, with a focus on the Seine River. Mayor Anne Hidalgo and French President Emmanuel Macron are committed to using the river as a central feature of the games, including an unprecedented outdoor opening ceremony. However, the river's water quality has been a longstanding issue due to sewage overflow, which has made swimming in the Seine unsafe for a century. Despite this, Hidalgo and Macron have expressed confidence in the river's cleanliness due to a significant underground infrastructure project. The script also highlights similar water quality issues faced during the Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016 Olympics, where open water swimming events were nearly canceled. The situation is further complicated by the presence of E. coli, which has led to the cancellation of preliminary events and poses a risk to the 2024 games.

05:02

🌊 The Austerlitz Basin: Paris's Solution to Seine Contamination

This paragraph delves into the specifics of the Austerlitz Basin, a 13.2 million-gallon underground reservoir and tunnel system designed to mitigate the risk of sudden contamination in the Seine due to combined sewer overflow. The system, part of a 1.5 billion USD project, aims to reduce the frequency of sewer overflows into the river, which is crucial for the planned open water swimming events at the Olympics. The script also compares the Austerlitz Basin to similar projects in Chicago and New York, emphasizing the global relevance of such infrastructure in densely populated cities. Despite these efforts, the possibility of heavy rain contaminating the Seine remains, which could jeopardize the swimming events. The long-term vision for the Seine extends beyond the Olympics, with plans to open swimming sites to the public in 2025 and to further the river's restoration as a safe and enjoyable urban feature.

Keywords

💡Seine

The Seine is a 777-kilometer-long river and an essential geographical and cultural feature of Paris, France. In the video, it is highlighted as a central element of the 2024 Summer Olympics, with plans for it to host open water swimming events and the opening ceremony. The river's significance is underscored by its presence alongside famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, illustrating its integral role in the city's identity and the Olympic Games' vision.

💡Sewage Overflow

Sewage overflow refers to the discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage into water bodies due to the sewer system's inability to handle excess water during heavy rains. In the context of the video, the Seine has suffered from this issue for a century, leading to the ban on swimming in the river. The script mentions how the city's underground sewer systems get overwhelmed, causing sewage to enter the Seine, which is a common problem for many urban waterways globally.

💡E. coli

E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals. Its presence in water indicates fecal contamination, which can cause serious health issues. The video discusses how the Seine's water quality was tested for E. coli levels, which must be below a certain threshold for open water swimming events to be approved. The script cites an incident where a preliminary event had to be canceled due to unacceptable E. coli levels in the Seine.

💡Combined Sewer System

A combined sewer system is a type of urban infrastructure where a single set of pipes is used to carry both sewage and stormwater. When heavy rains occur, these systems can become overloaded, leading to the discharge of untreated wastewater into nearby water bodies. The video explains that many cities, including Paris, have such systems, which contribute to the Seine's water quality issues, particularly after heavy rainfall.

💡Austerlitz Basin

The Austerlitz Basin is a massive underground reservoir with a capacity of 13.2 million gallons, built as part of a 1.5 billion USD infrastructure project aimed at mitigating the Seine's contamination issues. The video describes how this basin is designed to hold excess water during heavy rainstorms, preventing the sewer system from becoming overwhelmed and reducing the frequency of combined sewer overflows into the Seine.

💡2024 Summer Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics is a significant international sporting event that Paris was set to host. The video emphasizes the city's ambition to use the Seine as a key feature of the games, with plans for an historic opening ceremony and open water swimming events. The Olympics serve as a catalyst for the city's efforts to clean up the Seine and improve its infrastructure.

💡Water Quality Standards

Water quality standards are the criteria set to determine the safety of water for various uses, such as swimming. In the video, it is mentioned that for an open water swim event to proceed, water samples must be analyzed and found to contain no more than 1,000 colony forming units of E. coli per 100ml of water and 400 cfu of enterococci. These standards are crucial for ensuring the health and safety of athletes and the public.

💡Enterococci

Enterococci are a type of bacteria that are typically found in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. Similar to E. coli, the presence of enterococci in water is an indicator of fecal contamination. The video mentions enterococci as part of the water quality testing criteria for the open water swimming events at the Olympics, emphasizing the importance of monitoring multiple types of bacteria to ensure water safety.

💡Infrastructure Project

An infrastructure project refers to a large-scale construction or renovation effort aimed at improving public facilities and services. In the video, the term is used to describe the 1.5 billion USD project near the Seine, which includes the construction of the Austerlitz Basin and other measures to improve the river's water quality and prevent contamination from combined sewer overflows.

💡Swimmability

Swimmability refers to the condition of a body of water being safe and suitable for swimming. The video discusses the goal of making the Seine swimmable again, not only for the Olympics but also for the public's enjoyment post-Olympics. The concept is tied to the broader theme of urban environmental restoration and the quality of life for Parisians.

💡Backup Plans

Backup plans are alternative strategies or actions that can be implemented if the primary plan fails or encounters unforeseen challenges. In the context of the video, French President Emmanuel Macron mentions having backup plans for the Olympics' opening ceremony along the Seine in case the security risks related to water quality are too high, highlighting the uncertainty and the need for contingency planning.

Highlights

Paris was determined to host the 2024 Summer Olympics with the Seine River as a central feature, despite its history of pollution.

The Seine River was planned to host the first-ever Olympic opening ceremony outside of a stadium.

Swimming in the Seine had been banned for a century due to the presence of human waste.

Sewage overflow during heavy rain contributes to the Seine's pollution, a common issue for urban waterways.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to swim in the Seine to demonstrate its cleanliness.

A major underground infrastructure project was undertaken to manage sewage overflow and improve the Seine's water quality.

Previous Olympic Games faced similar challenges with water quality for open water swimming events.

A preliminary event in the Seine was canceled in August 2023 due to high E. coli levels.

E. coli presence in water indicates recent fecal contamination and poses health risks.

Water analysis must show acceptable levels of E. coli and enterococci for open water swimming events to proceed.

The Austerlitz Basin, part of a 1.5 billion USD project, was built to mitigate sewage overflow into the Seine.

The Austerlitz Basin's underground reservoir and tunnel system aims to reduce the frequency of sewer overflows.

The project's goal is to allow swimming in the Seine, with public swimming sites planned to open post-Olympics.

The feasibility of open water swimming during the Olympics will depend on weather conditions and water quality tests.

Combined sewer systems, common in many cities, can lead to water contamination during heavy rainfall.

The Austerlitz Basin is one of several large-scale solutions implemented to manage urban water pollution.

Despite improvements, the Seine's swimmability for the Olympics remains uncertain and subject to luck.

Transcripts

Back in 2017, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo

reinforced one thing in the city's final push

to host the 2024 Summer Olympics:

that its famous river, the Seine,

would be a key fixture of the games,

including an historic Olympics opening ceremony,

the first held outside of a stadium.

For which French officials initially said there is “no plan B.”

And that open water swimming events would be held in it.

It's not hard to see why.

The Seine runs along some of Paris's most famous landmarks,

like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.

The thing is, swimming has been banned

in the Seine for a century.

And that's because the River Seine has human sh*t in it.

Like many urban waterways around the world,

the Seine takes on sewage overflow during heavy rain.

When the city's underground

sewer systems get overwhelmed with stormwater.

Hidalgo even said she would take a swim

in the Seine herself ahead of the games.

French President Emmanuel Macron promised the same thing.

They say they're confident

because of an enormous underground infrastructure project

they've built near the river.

To ensure as much as possible

that it won't sh*t on their parade.

This isn't the first time Olympic open water swimming events –

the triathlon, para triathlon and marathon swimming –

were at risk of being canceled

last minute due to water quality issues.

We saw some of the same headlines

during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo

and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

In both cases, they pulled it off.

And Paris hopes to do the same.

But the journey to clean up

the Seine hasn't come without a few setbacks.

A preliminary event in the river,

scheduled for August 2023 was canceled.

When water analysis showed an unacceptable

amount of E. coli in the water.

E. coli are bacteria that originate

in the intestinal tracts of warm blooded animals.

Presence of them in water is a strong indicator of “recent fecal contamination.”

Which can make you very, very, very sick.

In order for an open water swim event to be given the go ahead,

water analysis reports must be submitted

no more than 48 hours prior to competition.

Those samples cannot exceed more than 1,000 cfu –

colony forming units – of e. coli per 100ml of water.

And 400 cfu of enterococci.

Another bacteria...

associated with feces.

Test results published just four months

ahead of the games showed that river samples taken

at this bridge, the site of open water swimming events,

still failed to get under that crucial 1,000 number

for permissible levels of E. coli.

You can see where this contamination is coming from

by taking a look at this 1852 map.

Showing how the original Paris sewer system was built.

It dumps right into the Seine.

Which is gross. But it's not a problem that's unique to Paris.

Many urban sewer systems work this way.

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Many cities that built sewer systems

in the mid 1800s to early 1900s, like Paris did,

installed what's known as a “combined sewer system.”

In a combined sewer system,

the same pipes that handle wastewater also handle stormwater,

which gets collected through storm drains in the street.

Everything gets sent along to be processed at water

treatment facilities and then cycles

out to the natural environment.

When it rains a lot, the sewers can get too full.

When this happens, rather than flooding back into the street.

The excess combined wastewater and stormwater

gets partially redirected to a nearby waterway.

Which is why E. coli levels in water can spike

dramatically in the hours following heavy rain.

It's because that water was recently contaminated with sh*t.

So you'll see signs near combined sewer outfalls

that prohibit swimming after heavy rain.

If that happens during the Olympics,

it could mean canceling open water swimming events.

So Paris built a giant tank.

This 13.2 million gallon capacity

underground reservoir and tunnel,

is part of a 1.5 billion USD

infrastructure project that aims to clean up the Seine.

It's called the Austerlitz Basin, built near

the Austerlitz metro station, right by the Seine.

With the tunnel running under the river to the sewers.

French officials opened the basin less than three months

ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony,

which is scheduled for July 26th.

I'll let this guy explain how it works.

Basically, this system will hold excess water

so the sewers don't get overwhelmed in a heavy rainstorm.

And then it will methodically release the water back

through the sewer system.

Giant reservoirs like this

have worked in other cities with big populations.

Like the Thorton Composite Reservoir outside of Chicago,

which can hold nearly 8 billion gallons of wastewater.

And this combined sewer outflow facility

in the Parerdegat Basin in New York –

designed to prevent contamination of the basin

and nearby Jamaica Bay.

The Austerlitz Basin isn't designed to clean the Seine.

That's an ongoing, multi-pronged process.

This project was built to prevent further – and sudden –

contamination of the Seine from combined sewer overflow.

The goal, according to French officials, is to resort

to opening the sewer overflow gates

that dump into the Seine no more than twice a year,

compared to the current rate of 10

to 15 times per year.

Paris will continue testing as the Olympics rapidly approach,

but Hidalgo and Macron have yet to swim in the Seine.

Even if all goes perfectly according to plan,

a significant rainstorm could still contaminate the Seine,

forcing open water swimming events to be postponed.

The idea of making the Seine swimmable again

goes beyond just the 2024 Olympic Games.

[ARCHIVE] “It seems to be a good thing to start last

in this annual race through Paris,

because the River Seine gets so full,

you could almost walk over the swimmers in front.”

It brings the city back to a time when the river was a place

for Parisians to cool off in the summer, instead of biohazard.

Once the Olympics are over,

that becomes the next phase of this project.

According to Mayor Anne Hidalgo,

three swimming sites in the Seine

will open to the general public in 2025, “thanks to the games.”

As for the plan to host the opening ceremony along the Seine,

French President Emmanuel Macron has now said that

there are backup plans “if the security risk is too high.”

Whether or not open water swimming will be possible

can only be determined hours

before the events and will be at the mercy of rain.

Meaning making the Seineswimmable in time for the Olympics

is going to take a lot of work and a lot of luck.