Herault-Les Gorges

France River 1 - Excellent

Les Gorges is a bathing area in Laroque, Hérault, France. The site is located in a region drained by three watercourses: the Vis, the Hérault, and the Rieutord. Summer thunderstorms can cause faecal contamination in the bathing zones. Water quality has improved to good to excellent standards over the past four years due to enhanced wastewater treatment systems and storm water management.

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Water

The bathing area is located on the Hérault river, which receives inputs from the Vis and Rieutord watercourses. The Vis and Hérault are subject to summer thunderstorm episodes.

Location

Laroque, Hérault, France. Contact: Mairie de Laroque, 35 avenue des Platanes, BP 93, 34190 Laroque. Telephone: 04 67 73 82 36.

Water Quality

Water quality classification is good to excellent based on ARS monitoring over the four most recent years. Monitoring for Escherichia coli and faecal enterococci is conducted. The Aubanel stream transfers significant pollutant loads during thunderstorm events due to insufficiently treated effluent discharges from Moulès-et-Baucels municipality. The Cazilhac wastewater treatment plant releases faecal streptococci into the Boulidou stream, which confluences with the Hérault opposite the village.

Risks

Summer thunderstorms can cause faecal contamination of bathing zones. Thunderstorms may occur upstream without rainfall in Laroque itself, making detection difficult with current monitoring methods. The Aubanel stream and Cazilhac wastewater treatment plant are identified pollution sources. Bathing prohibition orders are issued by the municipality in case of thunderstorms.