Lake Sirmione Pollution Clarified as Plant Debris, Bathing Resumes

No pollution. Sirmione has never been threatened by a “dark stain,” perhaps of fuel or oily substances. The alarm has therefore subsided, and bathing can continue.

In fact, although the results of bacteriological analyses on samples taken the other evening by health technicians from Asl di Brescia are not yet available (generally taking four or five days), it is known what type of substance was observed the other evening on the lake surface between San Benedetto di Lugana and Punta Grò di Sirmione.

Details on pollution and bathing suitability

It was simply plant matter, more precisely the most famous macrophyte herbs, algae that detach from the lake bed due to wind or currents.

The latest bathing suitability bulletin issued yesterday by Asl di Brescia confirms that the lake’s health is truly excellent: only one beach, that of Santa Giulia in Padenghe, was found prohibited for swimmers. For the rest, namely the other 51 beaches along the Brescia coast, everything is fine.

Authorities’ interventions and analysis results

Returning to Sirmione, the mayor, following a request from Asl, was compelled to issue a ban on bathing along the entire Punta Grò beach, pending the analysis results.

It probably — as the municipality’s comment suggests — would have been better to pay more attention to prevent such alarm, even if only for 24 hours. Indeed, as explained both by the technicians who arrived yesterday afternoon and by Asl representative Dr. Messino, it is not substances of pollution, but merely plant-derived substances.

The samples collected definitively confirm this. In previous seasons, the phenomenon of macroalgae, which proliferate on the lake’s bed (mainly in the southern area), had already caused concern for the Municipalities of Sirmione and Peschiera.

Whole green tides, detached from the bottom, would surface and then wash up on the shoreline, causing possible inconveniences and significant costs for local administrations. Nevertheless, within the next hours, the Sirmione ordinance could be rescinded to allow bathing to resume in an area with campgrounds, residences, and bathing establishments.

Clarifications on the alleged spillage of wastewater

In conclusion, there was no spill of wastewater from the collector, contrary to initial claims. This has angered the management of Azienda speciale Garda Uno.