Lake Garda Algae Crisis: Garda Uno Aims to Maintain Water Purification
It is highly unlikely that the third trash-collecting boat, primarily destined to be used on the body of water between Sirmione and Peschiera, will arrive by next summer on Lake Garda. This area is, in fact, one of the most affected by the concerning algae phenomenon, although, as recently stated by the Undersecretary for the Environment, Lake Garda is the cleanest lake in Italy, and undoubtedly credit goes to the ongoing efforts of the purification system managed by the Consorzio Garda Uno. The current stalemate is largely due to the political situation in Verona, with the crisis at the Province of Verona.
Political situation and interventions
On the Lombard side, the initial pledge of 300 million euros, subsequently allocated by the councilor Nicoli Cristiani, is still awaiting transfer to the Province of Brescia for the purchase of this vessel, whose effectiveness could influence the scale of macroalgae collection efforts.
The Azienda Consorzio Garda Uno is ready to act, through its personnel, having prepared for some time and awaiting future developments. It has decided to intervene with available equipment to minimize the potential algae invasion’s impact.
Management actions and response
„While awaiting developments from Verona, the Garda Uno company – states Guido Maruelli, president of Garda Uno – will maintain a high level of presence using its vessels, structures, and mechanical means capable of addressing the issues.
We will reduce the presence of the current trash-collecting boat located at Portese, serving the mid-to-upper Garda zone, east of Sirmione. Consequently, we will certainly intervene to maintain our presence on the waters in front of Sirmione, an area which has seen a significant proliferation of aquatic algae in recent years.
Unless there are unusual developments – continues President Maruelli – I am confident we will be able to address any eventualities, thanks in part to the experience gained over the past years.
We are, of course, concerned about the current situation, and I sincerely hope things can still be resolved, together with Gardesana Servizi and Veneto. The problem is shared, as algae growth occurs beyond administrative competences.
I want to assure and reassure Sirmione and its mayor Mario Arduino – concludes Maruelli – by guaranteeing a greater presence and commitment than in previous years, including deploying a suitable trash-collecting boat locally.
If requested by the Veneto side for a preventive or operational intervention, we will be available—obviously after fulfilling our operational duties within our territorial scope—to intervene.