Sint-Niklaas (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The swimming pond at De Ster in Sint-Niklaas faces an algae problem, causing 46-day closures. East Flanders will use a phosphorus-removing chemical (10-year effect) and plant trees for a long-term fix.
The province of East Flanders is trying to fix the algae problem in the swimming pond at De Ster in Sint-Niklaas. They are using a 2-part plan. First, they are going to use a special chemical that takes away phosphorus from the water. Officials mentioned that phosphorus is something that algae need to grow. This chemical will make it harder for the algae to grow for up to 10 years.
They mentioned that many places use this chemical, and it’s safe for people, animals, and the environment. It doesn’t need any special permission, so they can start using it quickly. This is a short-term solution. The province is also working on longer-term solutions, like figuring out why the algae is growing again and again.
How will Sint-Niklaas De Ster pond tackle algae growth?
The province is going to plant new trees and plants around the pond for a long term solution. They mentioned that this will help to filter the water and make it harder for the algae to grow. The new plants will also help to keep the water clean and healthy. These new plants will help the chemical they are using to work better.
There is an issue with the swimming pond at De Ster in Sint-Niklaas. Swimming is dangerous because of the excessive amount of algae developing in the water. Climate change is the reason for this, according to environmentalists. They mentioned that the water isn’t moving as much due to the warming temperature, which allows the algae to thrive.
They mentioned that the algae can make people sick, so the pond had to be closed for 46 days last summer. If nothing is done, the pond might be too dangerous to swim in within 5 years. The province tried to fix the algae problem by putting plants in the water. The plants were supposed to take away the food the algae needed to grow. But the algae are still growing, and the pond is closed again.
