Recreational water quality in the Breda canals

The growing attendance at recreational water activities, in addition to an increased frequency and severity of heat waves in cities, gradually gives the urban surface water of the Netherlands, as a water-rich country, a new function in supporting and facilitating recreational water activities. In general, the urban canals in the Netherlands are not designated as official bathing sites for recreation, and their water quality is not monitored routinely. Exposure to microbiological contaminated surface water may pose health risks to humans such as gastroenteritis (GE); fever, eye, ear, and skin complaints; or more serious illnesses, such as hepatitis and meningitis. The municipality of Breda has ambitious plans to ensure the recreational water quality in the Breda canals during the bathing season. This study investigates microbial water quality of the Breda canals intended for recreational purposes and simulation of water quality in the SOBEK model during the bathing seasons.