The team at Snowdonia-Active are inviting residents and businesses based in the Llanberis area to join in a project to help improve water quality in Llyn Padarn.
The 12 month programme of activities called ‘Loving our Lake’ will help identify and promote ways in which the community as a whole can take small steps to make big changes to help the lake and its wildlife.
This move follows the toxic algal bloom which caused the lake to be ‘off limits’ for much of the summer of 2009 and had a really negative impact on local businesses, wildlife, and people who could no longer enjoy the lake. The bloom was caused by a combination of weather conditions and nutrients such as phosphorus entering the lake. These nutrients can come form a number of sources including soil erosion and wastewater. “Without reductions in the amount of nutrients entering the lake the threat of further algal blooms remains. By making some simple changes to our day-to-day activities we can help to reduce the input of harmful nutrients into Llyn Padarn.” said Dr Emma Edwards-Jones, Project Manager.
Loving our Lake will start by talking to local residents and businesses. This will be followed by a series of community events and activities to raise awareness and spread the word.
“Whether you have a business on the shores of the lake, enjoy swimming in the lagoons, catching fish, walking your dog along the lake path, or you simply drive past it everyday, all of us who live and work in the Llanberis valley have a link to Llyn Padarn.” said Emma
To launch the project both Emma and Rachel Owen, Social Media Manager, will be out and about talking to residents and businesses in Nant Peris, Llanberis and Fachwen.
This project has the backing of Environment Agency Wales and is supported Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. The project has been developed and will be delivered by Snowdonia-Active, a social enterprise based in Caban, Brynrefail. The project has been developed and will be delivered by Snowdonia-Active, a social enterprise based in Caban, Brynrefail.
Iwan Williams of Environment Agency Wales said: “Loving our Lake” is and exiting initiative, welcomed and supported by the Agency. Llyn Padarn is a valuable wildlife habitat and is vital to local businesses and the local community. The algal bloom in 2009 had an impact on the habitat and the economy of Llanberis, the “Loving our Lake” initiative in combination with action by ourselves and other partners will reduce the risk of further blooms in Llyn Padarn.”
