Chadwich Lakes in the Mud

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Kyle Farrugia, Kyran Camilleri  for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper
Dissemination description: Write up and photo sent to the Times of Malta.
filed under Photos


On visiting Chadwick Lakes I got struck by green patches of muddy water on both lake banks with lots of litter coming afloat. Unfortunately people visiting the lakes leave lots of rubbish behind especially on Sunday walks and after picnics. Most of the toxic waste contains extra nutrients that go down to the bottom of the lake. Once these extra nutrients dissolve in water, they serve as fertilizers and make tiny plants called algae grow. Then on summer these algae grow drastically making the lake water look green and turn the lake into muddy water. Also soil fertilizers that derive from nearby fields within the lakes catchment area are ending up in the freshwater of Chadwick lakes. On contacting the Local Council, I recommended more work with landowners to reduce the use of fertilisers in their fields and making them aware of extra nutrients causing muddy water in our lakes.