Why in the News?

The swimming events in the ongoing Paris Olympics were postponed due to concerns about the water quality of the River Seine.

Issues with River Seine’s Water Quality:

Old Sewage System: Paris’ aged sewage system combines rainwater and wastewater in the same pipes, leading to overflow during heavy rains.
Untreated Sewage Discharge: Overflowing pipes cause untreated sewage to be discharged directly into the Seine instead of being treated.
Wildlife Contamination: Heavy rains wash wildlife, such as rodents, into the river, adding to the contamination.
E. coli Threat: The River often has high levels of E. coli bacteria, which can cause severe gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections.
Exceeding Safe Levels: Following heavy rains, E. coli levels in the Seine frequently exceed the safe threshold of 900 colony-forming units (cfu) per 100 ml of water.
Long-term Pollution: The Seine has been historically polluted, with a swimming ban in place since 1923 due to health risks.
Health Risks: High contamination levels pose significant health risks to swimmers, including infections and illnesses.

About River Seine

	Details
Country	France
Length	777 km
Major Cities Along Course	Paris, Troyes, Melun, Rouen, Le Havre
Major Tributaries	Aube, Marne, Yonne, Oise, Eure
Population in Basin	About 17 million people, including the Paris metropolitan area
Navigability	Navigable for about 560 kilometers from the estuary to Burgundy
Estuary Location	Empties into the English Channel at Le Havre and Honfleur
Estuary Type	Tidal estuary with significant tidal influence up to Rouen
Historical Significance	Central to Paris, with landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre along its banks
UNESCO Status	Banks of the Seine in Paris are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Economic Importance	Major waterway for commercial shipping and tourism; key ports include *Paris, Rouen, and Le Havre*
Recreational Activities	Popular for river cruises, boating, fishing, and walking along its banks

PYQ:

[2020] Consider the following pairs?

River: Flows into

Which of the pairs above is/are correctly matched?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(d) None of the above/More than one of the above.