It's the little blue-green slap of summer. Just when we imagined diving into the lake of Garrigues to escape the Montpellier heat, reality hits us with a bitter taste of toxic algae. According to information from Métropolitain, the GEMAPI service of the Metropolis raised the alarm after concerning analyses were done on July 21. The result: cyanobacteria are growing at a rapid pace, fueled by weather conditions that roll out the blue carpet for them.
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Swimming and activities strictly prohibited
Without wasting any time, the City issued a municipal order to prevent any nasty surprises. Swimming? Forbidden. Paddle outings? Forget about it. A little fishing picnic followed by an impromptu barbecue? You can put away the fishing rod and the grill. Even pets aren't allowed to take a sip of water from the lake, and farmers have to say goodbye to the idea of watering their crops with that contaminated water.
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The Mosson neighborhood, home to the lake, is now in maximum prevention mode. It’s a reminder that nature and pollution don’t mix well, especially when cyanobacteria show up uninvited. While we wait for the new analyses from GEMAPI, it’s best to stay cautious. Montpellier is calling for vigilance as local water bodies are being closely examined. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a quick return to normal! But for now, the Garrigues lake is a no fun zone: no fish, no splash.
Source: Métropolitain