The last stage of works related to the restoration of natural purity of the waters of Lake Gołdap in Warmińsko-Mazurskie has been completed. For the second time, 150 tons of bentonite clay were applied to the lake. The goal is to improve water parameters. The reclamation works were entrusted by the Gołdap local government to BIOPRO from Gdańsk under the supervision of Professor Tomasz Heese from the Koszalin University of Technology, the author of the protection plan and the Gołdap Lake reclamation project.
The way to clean water in the lake
The preparation made of bentonite clay and lanthanum is designed to block excess phosphorus in bottom sediments. Lanthanum found in the structures of bentonite clay forms a brew with phosphorus in the natural environment a mineral called rhabdophane. This mineral becomes part of lake sediments and is a kind of deposit – it is not subject to further transformations. By removing excess phosphorus from the lake in this way, the growth of harmful algae (e.g. cyanobacteria) is reduced.
“This does not mean that the waters will be crystal clear. It will still be a brown tone resulting from the supply of humic substances from the catchment area, because this is the type of this lake. But they will be natural, without pollution – simply clean – says Dr. Andrzej Staniszewski from BIOPRO Sp. z o.o.
Specially constructed barge facilitates the distribution of the preparation
A special barge has been prepared for the proper performance of the task. It has been provided with a biopreparation, which is distributed to the surface of the water in the form of a mixture of water taken from the lake and bentonite clay modified with lanthanum using a special perforated lance.
The prepared preparation is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the water of Lake Gołdap i. An important role in this project is played by GPS, which monitors the process of spreading the mixture on a water body. Falling to the bottom of the lake, the clay combines with phosphates and nitrates, creating a bright cover that retains harmful metabolic substances.
“The technology, although little known in Poland, is the optimal solution for Lake Gołdap in the reclamation process,” says Prof. Thomas Heese. “We have divided the lake cleaning process into two stages of clay application into water. In autumn, as a result of mixing, a certain amount of phosphorus is in the water as a result of mixing, which on the occasion of falling to the bottom of the preparation is already eliminated from circulation at this first stage.
Once again, in the spring, we have a similar phenomenon and therefore it is optimal to divide the entire planned pool of the preparation into two parts – says the professor.
The method is completely safe for people and the fauna and flora of the lake
The method developed by Australian and New Zealand scientists has proven itself in Canada and Germany, among others. The analysis of the activities carried out not only confirms the effective and dynamic cleaning of water bodies, but most importantly does not pose a threat to plants and animals living in water.
– The method we use is safe for people. The chosen technology should permanently improve water quality and the biodiversity of the system. The positive effect of cleaning the lake will continue, as the municipality has made important and strategic decisions regarding the ordering of water management. This is a condition for success – says Dr. Staniszewski from BIOPRO Sp. z o.o. – We coordinate the process of reclamation of the lake. Our role is also technological supervision over the entire operation – adds Dr. Staniszewski.
Preparations for reclamation lasted over a decade
Local government officials have been seeking funding for the reclamation of Lake Gołdap from external funds for over ten years. The municipal budget was not able to bear the costs associated with restoring water to its natural state. However, the municipality obtained funds for the preparation of technical documentation.
– We have applied for funding from the European Union several times. The applications we submitted passed only the first stage of the recruitment process. Unfortunately, none of the EU programs at that time assumed the reclamation of water reservoirs, only the protection of endangered animal species – said Jacek Morzy, deputy mayor of Gołdap in 2016.
Local governments, however, did not give up. They cleaned up the water and sewage management in the region and modernized the sewage treatment plant. Then, in 2015, the municipality submitted an application in the competition for co-financing the project from the program of the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Olsztyn. The competition concerned the preparation of documentation necessary when applying for funds for the reclamation of the lake.
The local government received funding at the level of PLN 12,000, the second amount was spent from its own budget and allocated it to research and development of their results.
Finally, the municipality received a financial injection from the European Union budget under the Regional Operational Program of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship for 2014-2020. The grant agreement covers 85% of the investment value. This means that Gołdap received about PLN 3.5 million in EU funding. The value of the entire project was estimated at PLN 4.2 million. The own contribution of the municipality is approx. PLN 700,000.
In October 2016, the Gołdap commune received the consent of the Marshal of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship to introduce substances inhibiting the development of algae into the waters of the lake.
Gołdap has the status of a health resort. This is the only health resort in Warmińsko-Mazurskie According to the data of environmental protection units, this region has been recognized as the cleanest in Poland. It has the cleanest air. On an area with a usable area of 3,000 sqm. The Department of Natural Sciences was established, guaranteeing free access to rehabilitation and sanatorium treatments.
Gołdap also has numerous tourist attractions near the Masurian Graduation Towers. The region will gain even more when crystal clear water is restored in Lake Goldap. Thanks to this, it will become a unique, innovative health resort.
