Tipp council pilots 'Bloomin' Algae' app

Tipperary Co Council piloted a 'Bloomin' Algae' mobile phone and digital app in 2021.

The app enables people to upload photographs and report the presence of harmful blooms of blue-green algae on Lough Derg and other water courses. The record sent is examined and verified by an expert, and speeds up warnings to minimise risks to public and animal health. Results are verified within 24 hours and no sampling is required, therefore avoiding delays and costs.

Senior Executive Scientist Colette Moloney told this month's meeting of the council that the pilot initiative had proven very successful.

The app information is to be made available to all local authorities, the EPA, Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and the public. The data collected will help form understanding of the scale of the algae bloom issue across Ireland, and assist in detection trends and mitigation measures.