Cyanobacteria from 2017;

As part of the regular monitoring of bathing water quality, Luxembourg's Administration de la gestion de l'eau (Water Management Administration) has recorded a proliferation of cyanobacteria - called "blue-green algae" in everyday language - which has been observed in the entire Lake Haute-Sûre in the north of the Grand Duchy.
As a result, a ban on swimming and all nautical activities has been imposed with immediate effect over the entire Lake at Haute-Sûre.

The LIST Public Research Centre has been commissioned to conduct more detailed analyses to determine the species composition of cyanobacteria, a task in which they were also involved last year when the same algae occurrence was noticed.

Recommendations for Lake Haute-Sûre

The toxins produced by cyanobacteria can be dangerous for humans, aquatic wildlife, domestic animals and livestock. As a result, the Water Management Administration, in consultation with the Health Directorate, recommends that the public:

• do not swim in the Haute-Sûre Lake and avoid direct contact with water (e.g. diving, water sports, fishing);
• do not let dogs and other pets drink water from the lake;
• do not eat caught fish.

If you experience any health problems after swimming, please talk to your doctor and mention any contact with toxic cyanobacteria.

Monitoring of bathing water remains in place

Lake Haute-Sûre, lake Weiswampach and the ponds at Remerschen are declared bathing/swimming waters. During the bathing season, which lasts until 30 September 2018, the quality of these bathing waters is regularly monitored by the 11 monitoring stations.

For the Haute-Sûre Lake, visual observation of cyanobacterial blooms and analysis of toxin concentrations are added to this regular monitoring. The respective analyses will be continued in the coming weeks.

No bans for other official beaches

With regard to the official beaches of Weiswampach Lake and Remerschen ponds, no cyanobacterial proliferation has been observed and bathing is still permitted at this stage. Any possible ban will be reported to the public via the press and online at www.waasser.lu. Leaflets on the theme of cyanobacteria can also be downloaded.
SEBES drinking water consumption without risk

There is no risk related to the consumption of drinking water originating from the Haute-Sûre Lake as the removal of raw water is at a depth (25 m) where the concentration of cyanobacteria is very low and the treatment system in place with SEBES effectively eliminates toxins from cyanobacteria.