Three places to swim outdoors in Brussels this summer

An experiment into open-air swimming in Brussels will go ahead this summer - but at three locations instead of the six initially planned.

Earlier this year, the Brussels region identified half a dozen lakes and ponds where swimming was possible, after carrying out extensive water quality tests.

Three locations have been chosen, and each will be open for two days only, over three consecutive weekends.

They are the Neerpede pond in Anderlecht (19-20 July), the Bois de la Cambre lake (27-28 July) and the Pêcheries pond in Boitsfort (3-4 August).

The project, named Expedition Swim, was led by outdoor swimming campaign group Pool Is Cool with the support of the Brussels environment minister and the municipalities of Brussels-City, Anderlecht and Watermael-Boitsfort.

Limited numbers of bathers will be allowed and temporary pontoons will be erected to protect the banks.

Water quality testing will continue, and the effect of human bathers on the ecosystems will be carefully monitored.