Lake Tegel Alarm: Harmful Algae Blooms Threaten Water Quality
Toxic Blue-Green Algae Warnings Issued at Tegeler See
Summer has barely begun, yet swimming warnings have been implemented at Tegeler See in Berlin due to the presence of toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). The Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso) has advised dog owners to keep their pets on a leash and avoid areas with accumulations of aquatic plants on the shore, as these algae can be life-threatening for dogs, particularly if they consume affected plants or drink water from the vicinity.
Recent tragic incidents involving a dog collapsing and subsequently dying after a walk along Tegeler See's shore are attributed to blue-green algae poisoning, according to the Reinickendorf district office.
Warning Signs and Human Risk
At the Tegeler See bathing spot opposite Scharfenberg, these toxic algae have been multiplying between water plants. Lageso has assured that for humans, there is no danger of bathing due to the low concentrations in the open water. However, warning signs have been posted at the beach, advising "Do not swim."
Beachgoer Perspectives
Pelle K., a 40-year-old from Mitte on his first summer bicycle tour, stopped at Tegeler See but had no prior knowledge of the warnings. Although he hadn't seen signs, he expressed caution regarding his children swimming due to their inclination to swallow water easily.
Irina Gert, a 48-year-old resident from Tegel, and her family are regular swimmers at the lake, having visited every day for eleven years. Despite algae warnings being issued every year, they continue to swim, with Irina's son diving into the lake daily and her not expressing worry.
Gerlinde Müller, a 62-year-old from Pankow, regularly walks her dog Merle near the lake, and the algae have made her apprehensive, fearing Merle could swallow something harmful. Consequently, she has stopped allowing Merle to play in the water.
Christel, a 74-year-old from Reinickendorf, found the early appearance of the blue algae surprising, considering the mild temperatures. As a result, she has decided to keep her distance from the water and avoid swimming to avoid unnecessary risks.
Other Bathing Spots and Water Quality
Lageso reported good water quality at Strandbad Tegeler See, as well as at other Berlin bathing waters, including Unterhavel, Wannsee, Müggelsee, and Dahme.
[1] Relevant Enrichment Data: Blue-green algae toxins have been detected in Lake Tegel since 2017, with several dogs dying after exposure to these toxins.
Salters of Tegel lake, regular swimmers like Irina Gert and her family, are seemingly oblivious to the yearly algae warnings, while Gerlinde Müller, who frequently walks her dog near the lake, demonstrates increased caution due to the presence of these toxin-producing algae. Meanwhile, the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso) maintains that while environmental science plays a key role in studying these algae, human health-and-wellness and mental-health awareness should extend to understanding the potential risks of blue-green algae in our eco-systems, such as in the case of Lake Tegel.
