Toxic algal bloom return could spell disaster in Llyn Padarn area

Llyn Padarn

THE return of a toxic algal bloom to a Snowdonia lake could spell disaster for some of the area’s businesses.

Fishermen and a canoeing firm have called for Dwr Cymru and the Environment Agency to sort out the problems that have blighted Llyn Padarn, Llanberis, for years.

Bathers were banned from the lake in 2009 because of algal bloom fed by sewage and phosphates such as shower gels and washing powders, which remove oxygen from the water which is vital for fish.

Llyn Padarn is home to a rare population of Artic char.

The Seiont, Gwyrfai and Llyfni Fishing Society have campaigned for years for something to be done. Secretary Huw Hughes said Artic char could become extinct in three years.

He said: “An Environment Agency report said that 40% of the sewage into Llyn Padarn was raw. In the end, somebody will get sick.

“Dwr Cymru should pipe the sewage to the sea at Treborth and the Government should force them to do it. The Environment Agency should also use their powers.”

Phil Nelson, of Surflines, on the Llyn Padarn shore, said: “When the algal bloom came last time it cost me £50,000. That’s two jobs gone. I can’t afford to suffer any other loss. It’s now known as a toxic lake.

“We’ve got the Slate Man Triathlon next weekend with 750 people. The agencies all seem blase and say: ‘We’ll keep monitoring”.

“Dwr Cymru should be forced to reduce the phosphate discharge into the lake.”

Llyn Padarn Forum chairman Alun Ffred Jones AM said: “I’m very critical of scientists who haven’t listened to the fishermen’s concerns and the agencies who haven’t protected the lake.” The problems were also highlighted in the Senedd by AM Mark Isherwood.

A Dwr Cymru spokesman the company aimed to reduce the amount of nutrients entering the lake.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Raw sewage is not feeding into Llyn Padarn, the effluent discharging into the lake has been treated. However, on occasion, there are overflows into the catchment area that discharge to the lake during storms.”

Gwynedd Council’s maritime and country parks officer Barry Davies said it was applying for Llyn Padarn to have the equivalent of “Blue Flag” status by 2013.

He said: “If granted, this status will mean that the waters of Llyn Padarn, in so far as is reasonably possible, will have to meet with European standards for bathing water. This is equivalent to the high standard that already applies to coastal bathing waters.”