Barge trips...with raw sewage?
 

We are considering a self drive barge trip (the Midi)but are a bit concerned about the untreated sewage from barges and cities. Has anyone heard of any health concerns in the canals? We are not overly picky folks, but it does seem somewhat yucky.

If the boats are the same as England the sewage is contained and needs to be pumped out weekly.

If you mean the raw sewage from other places floating in the river, read "The Secret Life of the Seine".

On our self-drive barge trip on the Burgundy Canal we determined that our boats did not have holding tanks. The stuff was simply ground out into the canal. We could be wrong, but we did not find any proof of a holding tank. The canal did not have an odor, but on the other hand, I would not swim in it, nor eat the fish that the fishermen caught.

Hi beaker,

Are you an experienced boater?

Hi Ira,
yes, I have owned power boats up to 38' and sailboats up 30'. I have gotten lost on numerous watercourses, and met a few submerged reefs.

On a self-drive barge trip on the Midi, a member of our group tried to help a British couple in another boat, who had lost their bikes to a sweeper. In the process, he fell in. Luckily it was at the 'top' of the canal and the water was less gross than anywhere else on the canal.. He showered quickly and had no ill effects. It's true the boat's head flushes directly into the canal, but as another writer noted, I never noticed a bad smell.

And I agree about not wanting to eat any fish (or eels) from the canal, but apparently many of the locals do, since there were always fishermen on the canal banks.

Hi beaker,

As an experienced boater, you are undoubtedly aware that fish, waterfowl, marine reptiles and other folks do not have containment systems.

I'd be more concerned about the diesel fuel floating on the water.

Enjoy your cruise.

Hi ira,

Thanks for pointing out that fish do not have holding tanks. I suspect even folks who are not experienced boaters have that knowledge. I would be more concerned about hepatitis caused by untreated human fecal matter from boats and cities than I would from carp crap. Most public health water closures come from human contamination instead of duck droppings or water reptiles.

As oyster growers say...you don't want that water quality too good, because you lose some of the flavor!

Hi

it is forbidden to discharge raw sewage into the French inland waterways.

However there a few processing stations, and many boats do not have holding tanks.

It does not seem to have proved to be a major health hazard.

And, yes I've got a boat, without holding tank, but it is ocean going.

Peter
The Languedoc Page

Hi beaker,

>...I would be more concerned about hepatitis caused by untreated human fecal matter from boats and cities ..<

Are you planning on swimming in the canals?

I strongly recommend against it.

"Harbor Trout"

I had never boated before the barge trip - had to be explained, didn't swim.

You may want to bring rubber gloves for handling the ropes and touching the walls (unavoidable) when going through the locks. We did not, no one got sick, but if you are worried about the water, you don't want to touch anything that is wet.

Thank you to those who answered my question based upon facts and life experiences.

Those responses were most helpful.