Visitors should note that a bath in the canals of Amsterdam is prohibited in most cases (save for one exception, which is described below). So unless a tourist wants to risk both a monetary fine and the potential security threats it poses, it is advisable to resist, except in a few sanctioned scenarios.
Water quality in the canals of Amsterdam
Now to safety. A report published in 2007 states this:
“Testing of canal water quality for compliance with the strict standard values for fecal indicators in the revised European Bathing Water Directive, which came into force in 2006, has shown that the water quality does not meet the standards. Risks to swimming and the health of people exposed to these waters cannot be ruled out «.
In fact, until 2007, Amsterdam’s houseboats weren’t even connected to the city’s sewage system, which meant that their waste would be dumped directly into the famous canals. (The canal houses weren’t fully connected until 1987). Since then, however, Waternet, the city’s water authority, has closely monitored the water quality in Amsterdam’s canals, and Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported since 2011 that the authority had seen a marked improvement thanks to its new measures. sanitation.
Yet four years later, only a quarter of the city’s signature houseboats had been connected to the city’s sewers. All houseboats in the city are expected to be connected in 2016.
There is also the concern of debris in the canals. Trash of all kinds finds its way into the city’s canals, from paper and plastic to bicycles and even occasionally cars. Sharp points on these discarded items can pose a health hazard to swimmers.
Exceptions to the rule: The Amsterday City Swim and Royal Amstel Swim
So why did Queen Máxima, then Princess Maxima, jump into the waters in September 2012, dressed in a wetsuit and swimming cap? She and thousands more participated in the Amsterdam City Swim, an annual charity event in which a thousand fundraisers bathe a mile and a quarter in the iconic canals. Maxima’s swim in 2012 and the subsequent 2013 Amsterdam City Swim raised money (and awareness) for ALS research. The route, which takes at least half an hour to complete, continues from the IJ River, the body of water that separates the north of Amsterdam from the rest of the city, to the Amstel River, then backs up the Amstel to the finish line at Keizersgracht.
So while much of the swimming is technically done in the city’s rivers, the final stretch takes swimmers into the canal waters.
Amsterdam City Swim takes special precautions to ensure the safety of its participants and the cleanliness of the water. Before the event, Waternet, the aforementioned city water authority, checks the waters thoroughly and removes debris from the course; If the water quality remains too low, the canals are pumped with fresh water or an alternate route is taken. Still, swimmers are advised to wear a wetsuit, not swallow water, and have proper vaccinations. If that doesn’t put you off, you can find more details about the event on the Amsterdam City Swim website.
Less well known is the Royal Amsterdam Swim, the oldest open water swimming event in the Netherlands, which also heralds a worthy cause: clean water awareness. The one-and-a-half mile route travels from Stopera, the town hall and the opera at Waterlooplein (Waterloo Square), down the Amstel to the vicinity of the Amsterdam Amstel train station.
