Blue algae is dangerous for people swimming in open water, but can also be harmful to swans. In the meantime, the city of Bruges is investigating how the water quality can be improved in the context of the Blue4Green project. Discharges are traced, dredging works, ultrasonic appliances and aerators are placed.
Due to the sunny weather of the past few days, however, the water heats up rapidly, which promotes the growth of blue -green algae. “Because a solution against blue -green algae is not obvious in the short term, we have looked at how we can safely give the swans the opportunity to swim,” explains Franky Demon. “At the Wijngaardplein, where the values remain low, we have defined a zone where the swans can swim safely. A floating dam prevents the animals from moving towards Groeneerei and Coupure.”
The dam was placed halfway through the water at the Begijnhof, so that tourists can run in the other part. “A team of the Bruges fire brigade came up with a solution and carried it out,” concludes Franky Demon, ships of public domain. “They have a lot of experience and were very enthusiastic to help. I thank the tourist services and boat firms that cooperated constructively and were willing to shorten their sailing process, even if it is only 50 meters. Some boats do not even sail in the latter zone.”