Why was Badeteich St. Margarethen closed?

A water sample on Tuesday showed a value of 816 CFU/100 ml at one location, clearly exceeding the limit value for Escherichia coli of 500 CFU/100 ml. Based on this sample, the state of Burgenland imposed the bathing ban.

How long does the bathing ban apply?

The bathing ban takes effect on Thursday and can only be lifted once the limit value is no longer exceeded. Since the lake has no option for water treatment or water exchange, the duration depends on the natural subsiding of the contamination.

Who monitors the water quality at the bathing lake?

The bathing water quality at Badeteich St. Margarethen is regularly checked by the Biologische Station Illmitz. The municipality is also obligated to determine the source of the contamination and eliminate it if possible.

Badeteich St. Margarethen: Bathing ban due to E. coli

St. Margarethen, July 22, 2026

The Badeteich St. Margarethen in the district of Eisenstadt-Umgebung is contaminated with coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli) and will be closed to bathers from Thursday after a measurement clearly exceeded the limit value for E. coli.

As the Landesmedienservice Burgenland announced on Wednesday afternoon, the Badeteich St. Margarethen is contaminated with coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli, or E. coli for short) and is therefore closed to bathers. The bathing ban under the Bäderhygienegesetz (Bath Hygiene Act) takes effect on Thursday.

Measurement value is significantly above the limit value

According to APA, action was taken on the basis of a contaminated water sample. In a measurement taken on Tuesday, the value for Escherichia coli was "clearly exceeded" at 816 CFU/100 ml at one location. The limit value for Escherichia coli is 500 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters of water (CFU/100 ml for short).

The state is not aware of any cases of illness. Nevertheless, the authorities point out that certain strains can cause illnesses in animals and humans such as bacterial urinary tract infections, peritonitis, gallbladder inflammation, or gastrointestinal inflammation.

Bathing ban at Badeteich St. Margarethen following elevated E. coli levels

Measurement value is significantly above the limit value

No treatment possible

Possible causes and next steps

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