Lake Patrol Finds High Pollution Levels in Salò and Desenzano

The fourth stage in Lombardy of Legambiente’s “Goletta dei Laghi” found high microbiological pollution in lake sites sampled between June 16 and 26, 2026. Out of 30 monitored points, 50% exceeded legal limits: 11 were classified as “heavily polluted” and 4 as “polluted,” while 15 remained within limits. Samples were collected by Legambiente technicians and volunteers and analyzed within 24 hours for intestinal enterococci and E. coli.

On the Lombard lakeshore, six samples taken on June 25, 2026 were all out of compliance. One was classified as “polluted” at the outlet of the canal near “Le Rive” beach in Salò, and five were “heavily polluted” at several river and stream outlets, including the port area in Padenghe, the Rio Lefà in Roina (Toscolano Maderno), two points in Desenzano, and the outlet of a stream near civic 75 Via Verone in Santa Maria di Lugana (Sirmione). Results were presented on Wednesday, July 8, in Lecco (Officina Badoni); Legambiente stressed that the tests do not replace official controls or certify bathing suitability.
Italian Version