Rome Mayor Vows Tiber River Will Be Swimmable in Five Years

Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, announced a bold initiative to make the Tiber River swimmable within five years, a goal that has been met with skepticism due to the river’s long history of pollution. Speaking at the Osaka Expo, Gualtieri revealed that a working group has been formed to orchestrate the clean-up, involving national and regional authorities alongside environmental scientists. He expressed optimism about the project’s feasibility, stating, “We are pleased to have already established that this is an entirely achievable goal.”

Swimming in the Tiber has been prohibited since the 1960s, and those who attempt to do so can face fines of hundreds of euros. The only exception is a ceremonial dive from a bridge on New Year’s Day. Gualtieri compared the Tiber project to the €1.4 billion Seine River initiative in Paris, which saw swimmers return for the first time during the 2024 Olympics after a century-long ban. He believes that Rome can achieve similar success, asserting that the challenges might be less daunting than those faced in Paris.

Health Risks and Environmental Challenges

Despite Gualtieri’s assurances, health experts caution against the current conditions of the Tiber River. The Italian Society of Environmental Medicine has highlighted the “extremely high” health risks associated with swimming in the river, particularly due to the presence of E. coli bacteria, which can cause severe gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, the risk of leptospirosis, a disease transmitted by rats, poses significant concerns for public health.

The Tiber is adversely affected by pollution from the Aniene River and other waste discharges, which render much of it unsafe for recreational use. Sabrina Alfonsi, Rome’s environment councillor, indicated that the inter-institutional working group will develop a comprehensive plan. This will include necessary regulatory measures, technical solutions, and new purification infrastructure to ensure the river meets safety standards for swimming.

The group’s first meeting is scheduled for October 2023, according to reports from the Nova news agency. The city has already begun redeveloping sections of the riverbank using Jubilee funds, creating new public spaces and enhancing greenery along five stretches of the Lungotevere embankment. Previous efforts, such as the “Tiberis” project, aimed to promote the riverside as a recreational area, but swimming remains prohibited.

Comparing Progress with Paris

In Paris, despite significant investments, bacterial contamination issues have led to the postponement of Olympic events on the Seine, with some athletes even taking medication to prevent illness. Gualtieri remains confident that Rome will not face the same setbacks, arguing that Paris started from a more polluted baseline. He noted that authorities have already pinpointed “three to four necessary actions” to ensure safe bathing conditions, even in areas downstream of the Aniene.

As the city embarks on this ambitious clean-up initiative, the timeline set by Gualtieri will be closely monitored. The promise of a swimmable Tiber could transform not only the river’s ecological health but also the recreational opportunities available to residents and visitors in the heart of Rome.