Olivier Bettati, a diverse right-wing candidate in the Nice Municipal elections, has issued a press release alerting local authorities and the media to this serious health problem, which has been known to the city services since November 2013.
According to the candidate and former Deputy Mayor of Nice, two analyses report the presence of extremely dangerous bacteria for health in the water used for garden irrigation, misting devices, and the water jets of the Promenade du Paillon’s water mirror. One analysis, conducted last November, a month after the inauguration of the Coulée Verte, originates from the Nice city services. The other was released Friday, February 28, following samples taken in the presence of a bailiff on February 26, and comes from a Lyon laboratory accredited for water analysis by the Ministry of Health.
Their conclusions are identical and alarming: The water from the Coulée Verte jets does not comply with the quality limits and references set by the Public Health Code, due to the presence of the following bacteria: Escherichia coli, Enterococci (fecal Streptococci), Coliform bacteria at 36°C.
And Olivier Bettati accuses: “The analysis conducted by the Nice city services is proof that the Municipality was alerted to this serious health issue several months ago. What is the city hall waiting for to warn the people of Nice about the danger of their exposure to this polluted water? These bacteria are also known to the general public. They were involved in the recent major health scandals in France and Europe (for reference: E. coli, nearly 8000 cases reported, and 126 deaths in Europe in 2011).”
For the former deputy, the mayor’s inaction regarding this problem known to city services since November 2013 does not amount to negligence but to “a desire to hide what turns out to be a health scandal affecting one of the main achievements during his term.” He therefore asks that all urgent measures be taken to protect the population that has been and remains in contact with contaminated water.
The Prefect and the Public Prosecutor* are now reportedly in possession of the elements that would allow them to make a decision as quickly as possible.
“The people of Nice in contact with this water (and there are many, especially as the good weather approaches) are in danger. The city must act to inform and protect its residents,” concludes Olivier Bettati.
