Veneto and Lombardia Join Forces to Combat Lake Garda Algae Bloom

There will be a meeting in the coming days between the Environmental Assessor of the Regione Veneto, Massimo Giorgetti, and his counterpart from the Regione Lombardia, Franco Nicoli Cristiani. The main topic will be the presence of algae in Lake Garda, especially in the southern part of the lake in the municipalities of Sirmione and Peschiera. This issue has progressively become more pressing in recent years due to its alarming dimensions.

This situation causes concern for the tourism sector, which must be taken seriously. Last summer, the Azienda Speciale Garda Uno intervened multiple times, deploying personnel and equipment to collect tons of these algae from the lake and beaches. Besides harming Lake Garda’s image, these algae emitted a nauseating odor.

A boat equipped for algae removal, stationed at the Port of Desenzano, has also been used with good results. Clearly, a problem like this requires much more consistent presence, and therefore, the regions are being asked for funds to purchase a third vessel with specialized equipment for cutting and removing algae from several meters under water.

Regional support and ongoing initiatives

During a recent meeting at Pirellone, Assessore Nicoli Cristiani expressed support for this initiative. As stated by the same Giorgetti, the Regione Veneto will show its willingness to contribute to the purchase of the algae-removal boat during the next meeting.

“We have already intervened with substantial funds directly allocated to municipalities for cleanup efforts,” said Assessor Giorgetti, “and should there be an initiative to optimize investments and save costs — given that an immediate reversal of the trend is unlikely — we will be available and supportive of Regione Lombardia in purchasing a new algae-removal boat to be used for emergencies.”

Mario Visconti, a member of the Azienda Speciale Garda Uno and delegate responsible for dealing with the severe algae blooms, confirmed the strong commitment Garda Uno has undertaken to minimize problems caused by the continuously increasing presence of aquatic plants and algae in the waters and on beaches.

Prevention and collection strategies

“This is a problem we are addressing on two levels: prevention and macro-system study. Our goal, once equipped with a third algae-removal boat for the most affected areas of lower Garda, will be to recover these plants within the water itself, preventing both floating and deposition on beaches.

We are also exploring the possibility of establishing a dedicated area for sedimenting the recovered material, significantly reducing its weight and potentially transforming macroflora into fertilizer. This would help recuperate some of the very high costs sustained by the Consorzio Garda Uno for collection operations.”