There is currently a negative swimming advice for three swimming lakes in our region. In addition to the Hunzedal near Borger, where a warning has been in effect since May due to poor water quality, blue-green algae have been reported in the Spokeplas near Noordwolde and the Paterswoldsemeer. This is evident from data from Zwemwater.nl.
The water quality has deteriorated in recent days due to the weather conditions. Blue-green algae are appearing in more and more places in our country, which benefit from the abundance of sunlight and high temperatures, causing the water to warm up.
The Paterswoldsemeer was already hit by the blue-green algae bacteria earlier this month, and a warning has been in effect for the Spokeplas since yesterday.
The provinces must monitor the quality of the open water. For the time being, the bacteria has therefore surfaced and been reported in two puddles in or near Drenthe, but that number may increase in the coming days. The provinces emphasize that the best advice is to avoid water with a layer of blue-green algae, even if no absolute ban has been announced.
The blue-green algae bacteria forms a blue-green layer in warming water. Toxic substances are formed in that layer, which can make people and animals very ill. Mild complaints are skin and eye irritations, but liver damage, respiratory problems and even paralysis symptoms also occur.