Uploaded September 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Normally, the answer would be no. But in these very limited circumstances, at Iceland's Blue Lagoon, you can swim in geothermal power plant wastewater, and it's even healthy: although the marketing material doesn't usually mention it. Here's a story about geothermal energy, cheap heat, and how to keep some ducks warm.
Sources:
c40.org/case_studies/the-worlds-largest-geothermal-heating-system-saves-up-to-4m-tons-co2-annually
verkis.com/projects/utilities/water-supply-systems/nr/982
https://nea.is/geothermal/direct-utilization/heat-pumps/
https://icelandmag.is/article/nine-fascinating-facts-about-geothermal-energy-and-reykjavik
askjaenergy.com/iceland-renewable-energy-sources/geothermal-different-utilization
https://nautholsvik.is/en/
https://perlan.is/about-perlan/
epa.gov/coalash/coal-ash-basics
Research on Blue Lagoon and a skin condition: doi.org/10.1016/S0738-081X(96)00099-5
Filmed safely: tomscott.com/safe
🟥 MORE FROM TOM: tomscott.com
(you can find contact details and social links there too)
❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: lateralcast.com youtube.com/lateralcast
👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: youtube.com/techdif
Normally, the answer would be no. But in these very limited circumstances, at Iceland's Blue Lagoon, you can swim in geothermal power plant wastewater, and it's even healthy: although the marketing material doesn't usually mention it. Here's a story about geothermal energy, cheap heat, and how to keep some ducks warm.
Sources:
c40.org/case_studies/the-worlds-largest-geothermal-heating-system-saves-up-to-4m-tons-co2-annually
verkis.com/projects/utilities/water-supply-systems/nr/982
https://nea.is/geothermal/direct-utilization/heat-pumps/
https://icelandmag.is/article/nine-fascinating-facts-about-geothermal-energy-and-reykjavik
askjaenergy.com/iceland-renewable-energy-sources/geothermal-different-utilization
https://nautholsvik.is/en/
https://perlan.is/about-perlan/
epa.gov/coalash/coal-ash-basics
Research on Blue Lagoon and a skin condition: doi.org/10.1016/S0738-081X(96)00099-5
Filmed safely: tomscott.com/safe
🟥 MORE FROM TOM: tomscott.com
(you can find contact details and social links there too)
❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: lateralcast.com youtube.com/lateralcast
👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: youtube.com/techdif
