£450,000 Funded to Combat Algal Growth in Lough Neagh

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has allocated £450,000 to five suppliers as part of the Lough Neagh: Blue Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative, aimed at combating blue-green algae in Northern Ireland's largest freshwater body. Each supplier will develop proofs of concept for treatments that do not harm the local ecosystem, with potential solutions including ultrasonics, mechanical, and biological treatments. The initiative attracted significant interest, with over 50 applications leading to the selection of five successful bidders: Clear Water Systems Ltd, Helix8 Ltd, Queen’s University Belfast, Varicon Aqua Solutions Ltd, and Wholeschool Software Ltd. Environment Minister Andrew Muir emphasized that this effort is part of a broader 37-point action plan and that restoring water quality is a long-term commitment requiring substantial resources. The blue-green algae issue has intensified, causing public concern over water quality, especially following last summer's significant blooms. The initiative marks the first phase, with up to three suppliers expected to move to a second pilot solution phase next year.