CYANOBACTERIAL (BLUE-GREEN-ALGAL) BLOOMS IN THE UK - A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT SITUATION AND POTENTIAL MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

Nuisance cyanobacterial blooms are an important environmental problem. Toxins released by cyanobacteria can kill animals and cause illness i n humans. The sustainable management of toxic cyanobacteria would incr ease the conservation and amenity value of affected water bodies, and decrease on-site water treatment costs. Methods are available to kill or to prevent blooms but often the expense is prohibitive or the agent used is detrimental to desirable lake organisms. Different management strategies are therefore considered within the context of the current state of the UK water industry. Particular reference is made to the p otential impact of the 1994 Ofwat-determined water-price increase limi ts on environmental policy and prioritization.