Swimming area at Lake Tegel: Berlin's official swimming areas are inspected regularly. (File photo)
© dpa
According to the latest information from the health authorities, all 39 designated swimming areas are suitable for swimming. However, the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso) has currently received reports of cercariae.
Cercariae are the larvae of certain flukes that burrow into human skin and can cause itching or an allergic rash.
"So far, Lageso has received very few reports of cercariae for 2026, but they have come relatively early in the year," spokeswoman Stephanie Reisinger told the German Press Agency. According to her, reports were received regarding Jungfernheideteich, Teufelssee and Schlachtensee. "The water in some bodies of water has warmed up very early this year, which means cercariae may have already been released by the end of May or early June. In recent years, we typically received reports of cercariae between mid-June and mid-July," the spokeswoman explained.
The appearance and dispersal of cercariae are temporary and unpredictable. Conducting an inspection based on reports received would not be effective, as the cercariae can no longer be detected in the water after just a few days.
According to Lageso, the swimming areas in the capital are tested regularly during the swimming season. These tests are based on microbiological measurements, particularly for bacteria such as Escherichia coli and enterococci, which indicate possible contamination. According to a Lageso spokesperson, based on the latest measurements, all designated swimming areas meet the requirements for excellent bathing water quality. The measurements will therefore continue to take place regularly at 14-day intervals.
However, water quality can change in the short term, for example after heavy rainfall or during periods of high temperatures. In such cases, isolated instances of pollution may occur, or blue-green algae may proliferate, reducing visibility and, in turn, hindering rescue operations. Accordingly, reduced visibility depths were measured at Dämeritzsee (0.7 meters) and the Schmöckwitz/Dahme swimming area (0.8 meters). All other swimming areas have adequate to very high visibility depths (over three meters).