Algae danger poses threat to opening of water centre

Jul 10 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

POTENTIALLY dangerous algae in Crosby’s marine lake must be tackled before a proposed £7.6m watersports centre opens on the site, according to the findings of a year-long study.

A water monitoring programme by aquatic scientists APEM concludes the levels of blue-green algae are “blooming” in the lake not just in summer months, as previously thought, but in winter, too.

Blue-green algae can release toxins which can be a health risk. In certain conditions, they grow rapidly, leading to a bloom where their numbers overwhelm all the other organisms in the lake.

A Sefton Council report says doing nothing about the algae could endanger public health and jeopardise the water centre scheme, which won outline planning permission in January.

APEM says it will take around two years to improve the lake’s water quality.

The report into the algae comes as councillors will this week be asked to approve pushing ahead with the water centre plans in order to meet a proposed completion date of December 2008.

At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, councillors will vote on commissioning firm Building Design Partnership to prepare the centre’s detailed design, inviting tenders for its construction and seeking a centre operator.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said it has always been the authority’s intention to tackle the algae problem and added that the clean-up process was not likely to delay the water centre’s completion or opening.

He said: “The water centre is a hugely exciting project and we are delighted to have attracted funding for the scheme.

“We have always been aware of the high algae levels in the lake and this research will help us to take the project forward based on proper, professional advice. APEM, which conducted the study from March 2006 to 2007, says salt levels should be raised by connecting a pump from the lake to the River Mersey.

Once this is achieved, mussels, which improve water quality through biofiltration, should be seeded at the lake and water plants introduced.

They add it will take around two years for these measures to have an effect.

The water centre will be equipped for Olympic sports.

It will also be a centre of excellence for disabled competitors.

paulaowens