DAERA Invests In Blue-Green Algae Solutions

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced the allocation of £450,000 to five suppliers to develop potential solutions for treating, reducing, and suppressing the growth of blue-green algae.

The funding is part of the Lough Neagh: Blue Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), launched last month by Minister Muir. The initiative aims to find innovative ways to address the blue-green algae problem in Lough Neagh and other Northern Irish waterways without harming the natural environment.

DAERA contributed £200,000 to the initiative, while the Department for the Economy (DfE) provided £250,000 through its SBRI Challenge Fund. The competition received a strong response, attracting nearly 200 initial expressions of interest and 53 formal bids. After a thorough evaluation process, five suppliers were selected to develop proofs of concept for their proposed solutions.

The successful projects will explore various approaches, including the use of ultrasonics, mechanical treatment, and biological treatment. These initiatives could potentially lead to significant advancements in combating blue-green algae blooms and improving water quality in Northern Ireland. Speaking following an introductory meeting with the five successful suppliers, Minister Muir said: "I am pleased to welcome the five successful suppliers for phase one of the Lough Neagh: Blue Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), which is supported by funding from both my Department and the Department for the Economy. This first phase of the initiative is intended to demonstrate the technical feasibility of a proposed concept and its viability as a solution to help tackle Blue Green Algae in Lough Neagh and can hopefully be applied to any area that has been affected by the bacteria.

"However, we must remember, this alone will not solve the Blue Green Algae crisis. This initiative is only one action outlined in my 37-point Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan, which paves the way forward for improved water quality and reduced Blue Green Algae. There is a significant amount of work to do to restore the lough and enhance water quality throughout Northern Ireland. This will take both time and resources. Water quality issues at Lough Neagh and elsewhere were decades in the making and will take decades to fix. It is my vision to have a healthy, resilient environment with high water quality status and I am firmly committed to take the necessary action to make a difference to our waterways."

The five successful suppliers awarded contracts are:

• Clear Water Systems Ltd

• Helix8 Ltd

• Queen's University Belfast

• Varicon Aqua Solutions Ltd

• Wholeschool Software Ltd (Biild)

Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: "My Department's SBRI Challenge Fund supports innovative solutions to complex challenges such as that at Lough Neagh. I welcome DAERA's appointment of five suppliers to move this research project to the next phase, where potential solutions can be explored and developed."

It is anticipated that phase one will run through to March 2025 with a potential call for a phase two applications commencing summer 2025.