La Semois À Membre

Belgium River 2 - Good

The Semois at Membre (I09) is a bathing zone located in the Semois sub-basin within the International Meuse River District. The beach is 40 metres long with an average river width of 35 metres and depths ranging from 0.3 to 1 metre. The riverbed is characterized by a gravel substrate, and the banks are natural with grassed meadows. Water quality has been sufficient to good, with only occasional punctual contamination issues rather than recurring problems.

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Water

River (Semois). Beach length: 40 metres. Average river width: 35 metres. Minimum depth: 0.3 metres. Maximum depth: 1 metre. Gravel substrate bed with natural banks.

Location

Membre, downstream from Vresse-sur-Semois in the Semois sub-basin. The bathing zone is designated at the Pont de Membre.

Water Quality

Water quality was sufficient between 2012 and 2015 and good during the 2016 bathing season. E. coli and intestinal enterococci concentrations are monitored. Rainfall exceeding 10 mm within 48 hours preceding sampling typically triggers exceedances of E. coli standards. Contamination sources include dysfunctional storm overflow structures, absence of wastewater treatment systems at secondary residences downstream of Vresse-sur-Semois, and surcharges at pumping stations.

Risks

Bacterial contamination increases during rainfall. Identified contamination sources include: surcharges at the Vresse-sur-Semois pumping station, overflow discharges from storm outfalls, absence of wastewater treatment at secondary residences in the Membre area, and contamination from upstream agricultural areas. Both human and bovine bacterial contamination contribute to quality degradation during wet weather.