Riva Rejects Chemical Use to Eliminate Lake Ledro Foam

The municipality of Riva, assured by Mayor Malossini and reaffirmed by Councillor Marino, does not accept any hypothesis involving the use of chemical agents to eliminate the foams in the lake.

During the recent meeting between administrators and technicians, the only practicable short-term solution to prevent foam formation appeared to be the use of chemical additives (which Enel does not intend to pay for).

The council explicitly and emphatically said no. “It has been established that the foam is not polluting, as it results from the breakdown of algae present in Lake Ledro; it would be absurd to choose a form of pollution (even if harmless, like the addition of such substances) to eliminate another,” they stated.

Future Perspectives and Solutions

The foams will disappear permanently when the algae concentration in Lake Ledro drops below certain levels, which will happen when nutrients (i.e., discharges) no longer enter the lake.

Perhaps, for now, Malossini suggests, the outlet could be intubated and directed offshore into deeper waters, as was done with the Bordellino outlet at Sabbioni about fifteen years ago: back then, the issue was the beach’s bathing quality and the potential for a major European-scale incident.

Next steps and meetings

Next week, during another meeting with Enel technicians, the second discussion will be held for the municipal working group coordinated by Paolo Matteotti.