Odra

The threat of 'golden algae' is a cross-regional problem, so we are meeting across the divide today. We have a monitoring system and an action scheme to minimise the risk and to work together

– Deputy Minister Jacek Ozdoba said while opening the meeting on the situation on the Oder River, the circulation of information on the threat of the 'golden algae' bloom at various levels and the solutions introduced.

In turn, Deputy Minister Małgorzata Golińska emphasised the importance of the functioning team for the situation on the Oder River and the importance of the  recommendations issued by experts, which are gradually being implemented, limiting the 'golden alga' bloom.

We have extended permanent monitoring at 25 points on the Oder River, more large-scale than EU requirements. In addition, nine 24-hour automatic monitoring stations have been installed. We also have a 'golden algae' bloom warning procedure. Inter-ministerial arrangements are underway on instruction for fully coordinated action for the services. Within seven days, it will be sent to the regional level - to marshals, voivodes and city mayors

– she pointed out.

At the same time, the deputy minister stressed the position of scientists, who agree that the 'golden alga' is an unpredictable adversary and that the fight against it is not easy.

During the meeting on the Oder River, the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, Krzysztof Gołębiewski, presented a procedure introducing a uniform, three-stage warning system. According to the document, the occurrence of alert levels depends on the size of parameters and indicators such as, among others, temperature, pH, nitrogen and phosphorus ratios, salinity and the presence of phytoplankton, including 'golden algae.'

We see a correlation between the massive bloom of golden algae and the presence of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in the water, e.g. from municipal wastewater. That is why checks are being carried out on entities carrying out such discharges

– Minister Gołębiewski added.

At the meeting with local government officials, the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection also explained the current situation in the Czernica Reservoir in the Dolnośląskie Voivodeship:

Despite low salinity, a new phenomenon is that golden algae have appeared in the Czernica Reservoir in the Dolnośląskie Voivodeship. The algae development is also favoured by municipal sewage, and the services have been reported to be contaminated

– he added.

An essential point of the meeting was also the presentation of the operational instructions, a project of the Ministry of Climate and Environment that is being launched based on the current GIOŚ Chel procedure.

We are richer in experience from a year ago and scientific knowledge. We have developed an instruction that indicates which actions and services are to take and when with three action levels. The first is a preventive level related to monitoring, the second - is when the risk of a bloom appears, and the third - is when the bloom of 'golden algae' has already occurred

– said Andrzej Szweda-Lewandowski, General Director for Environmental Protection.

It should be noted that the draft instruction is currently under inter-ministerial consultation. Within seven days, it will be sent for regional consultation to voivodes, marshals and mayors.

The meeting in Wrocław was hosted by the Dolnośląskie Voivode, Jarosław Obremski.