Le Port (Villeveque)

France River 2 - Good

Le Port is a bathing area in Villevêque, Maine-et-Loire, in the Pays de la Loire region. The site comprises two basins located on the western bank of the Loir river. Water quality has improved significantly from 2007 to 2010, with the classification improving from temporarily polluted (C) in 2007 to good quality (A) in 2010. Bacterial contamination, primarily Escherichia Coli and Enterococci, correlates strongly with rainfall events.

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Water

Two basins in the Loir river. Large basin: 75 metres long, 30 metres wide, maximum depth 2 metres, clay and silt bottom, sandy beach. Small basin: 25 metres long, 20 metres wide, maximum depth 1 metre, gravel and sand bottom, sandy beach.

Location

Villevêque, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire region. The bathing area is located on the western bank of the Loir river within the commune of Villevêque.

Facilities

Lifeguard surveillance. Sports equipment and games provided. Facilities include toilets and showers. Flag signalling system: red flag (swimming prohibited), orange flag (dangerous but supervised), green flag (safe and authorized), no flag (no supervision, swimming prohibited). Disabled access available. Opening hours: 14:30 to 19:00 on weekdays; 13:00 to 20:00 on weekends.

Season

1 July to 31 August. Weekly surveillance conducted every day except Thursday, when bathing is closed. Bathing closed 29 August 2007 following high bacterial contamination; prohibition lifted two days later.

Water Quality

Water quality classification under 1976 European Directive: 2007 temporarily polluted (C), 2008 average quality (B), 2009 average quality (B), 2010 good quality (A). Guideline value for Enterococci: 100 cfu/100 mL. Guideline value for Escherichia Coli: 100 cfu/100 mL; imperative value: 2000 cfu/100 mL. In 2007, 86% of Enterococci samples and 100% of E. Coli samples exceeded guideline values. By 2009-2010, 17% of Enterococci and 50% of E. Coli samples exceeded guideline values. Bacterial contamination correlates with heavy rainfall events.

Risks

Bacterial contamination from Escherichia Coli and Enterococci, particularly following heavy rainfall. Two samples in 2007 exceeded the imperative value for E. Coli. Presence of wild animals (nutrias) documented in the study area.