Blue-green algae in the North Aa: everything you want to know about it

Splash, splash, spatter, with these temperatures Zoetermeerers are comfortable in the water! You just have to be careful, because there is a chance of blue-green algae in the water of the North Aa.

If blue-green algae is found in a swimming water, a negative bathing advice is always issued. But why is blue-green algae bad for humans? And are you obliged to follow that swimming advice?

Is blue-green algae an algae?

According to Rijkswaterstaat, blue-green algae are bacteria, also known as cyanobacteria. The tiny organisms are found in fresh water all over the world, not just in the Zoetermeerse Plas. But how does that bacteria pollute the water?

Toxic gasses

The cyanobacteria live on light, carbon dioxide and nutrients in the water. If there are many nutrients in the water and it is warm, this can cause a blue-green algae bloom. During a bloom, the many blue-green algae can form a floating layer on the water. Because the bottom of the floating layer dies, toxins (toxins) end up in the water. And that polluted water is not good for humans and animals, he says swimmingwater.nl.

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Irritation and nausea

The severity of the effect of blue-green algae is different for every person, but the symptoms are the same. The best-known symptoms are: skin and eye irritation, headache, stomach and intestinal complaints, nausea and vomiting. In some cases it can even cause bigger health problems. Not only humans can suffer from blue-green algae, dogs are also susceptible to the bacteria.

In the shower

If you have been swimming in the North Aa while blue-green algae has been detected, rinse off in the shower as soon as possible. That is always a good idea after swimming in surface water.

Negative swimming advice

If blue-green algae is found in the water, a negative swimming advice will be issued for the relevant swimming spot. But are you obliged to stick to it? The answer is no. If you still want to swim in that water despite the advice, you can. If a swimming ban is imposed, because the risk of becoming seriously ill is very high, then it is forbidden to enter the water.

Do the check

Do you want to swim safely in natural water? Before you leave for a day of swimming, check the swimming quality of the Noord Aa. Here you can see exactly where blue-green algae has been found in Zoetermeer and where you should therefore stay away from. The quality is measured regularly and the website can change, so keep an eye on it.