Organic Solutions for Polluted Lakes and Reservoirs

Lakes and reservoirs are some of the most valuable freshwater resources we have. They provide drinking water, support fish and wildlife, offer recreational spaces, and act as focal points of local communities. Yet across the world, and increasingly here in the United Kingdom, many of these water bodies are under pressure from pollution.

The deterioration of lakes is not just an environmental issue — it also affects our health, economy, and quality of life. Polluted water can become unsafe for swimming and fishing, expensive to treat for drinking purposes, and unattractive for communities that rely on it as a source of recreation or tourism.

At Bioglobe, we have dedicated years of research and development into finding natural ways to address this problem. Our team in Cyprus has developed organic enzyme solutions that can remediate pollution in a wide variety of settings, including lakes, rivers, reservoirs, coastal waters, and even contaminated land. These solutions are effective, environmentally safe, and can be customised to each specific problem. Most importantly, they do not cause further harm to ecosystems, unlike many traditional chemical treatments.

This article will explain the problem of lake and reservoir pollution, outline the consequences of leaving it untreated, and describe the organic solutions that Bioglobe can provide.

The Problem: Why Lakes and Reservoirs Become Polluted

Nutrient Overload and Eutrophication

One of the most common causes of pollution in lakes and reservoirs is nutrient overload. Fertilisers used on agricultural land contain nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth. However, when rain washes these nutrients into lakes, they feed excessive growth of algae. This process, known as eutrophication, can turn clear water into a green, murky soup.

Excessive algae do more than make the water look unattractive. They block sunlight, preventing aquatic plants from growing. When the algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose, using up valuable oxygen in the process. This oxygen depletion can cause “dead zones”, where fish and other aquatic organisms suffocate and die.

Sewage and Wastewater Discharge

Lakes and reservoirs also receive pollution from sewage discharges. In some areas, wastewater treatment facilities struggle to cope during heavy rainfall, leading to overflows. Raw or partially treated sewage can end up flowing into rivers and lakes. This not only introduces harmful bacteria but also adds nutrients and organic matter that further fuel algal blooms.

In addition to domestic sewage, industrial facilities can discharge wastewater containing heavy metals, oils, and a range of chemical residues. Even when treated, many of these contaminants are not fully removed. As a result, lakes can accumulate a cocktail of pollutants that interfere with natural life processes.

Chemical Pollution

Modern life has introduced new forms of chemical pollution into water. Pharmaceuticals, cleaning agents, pesticides, and microplastics are increasingly being found in lakes and reservoirs. These substances may be present in small amounts, but their cumulative effect can be damaging. For example, pesticides can harm insects and invertebrates that form the base of the food chain. Hormone-like substances from pharmaceuticals can affect fish reproduction. Microplastics can accumulate in sediments and enter the food web.

Sediment Build-Up and Organic Waste

Over time, lakes naturally accumulate sediments — soil washed in from rivers and land erosion. However, human activity accelerates this process. Runoff from agriculture and construction carries not only soil but also organic waste into lakes. This build-up of organic matter increases the biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the water, meaning more oxygen is consumed as bacteria break it down. High BOD levels can push oxygen to critically low levels, making the water uninhabitable for many species.

Climate Change and Warming Waters

Rising global temperatures are also contributing to lake pollution. Warmer water encourages algae to grow faster and allows harmful species, such as toxic blue-green algae, to flourish. At the same time, heavier rainfall events caused by climate change wash more pollutants into water bodies. The combined effect is that many lakes are struggling under greater stress than ever before.

Consequences: What Happens When Pollution Is Left Untreated

Loss of Biodiversity

Pollution disrupts delicate ecosystems. Sensitive species are the first to disappear, while only the most tolerant species remain. In a healthy lake, you might find a variety of plants, fish, insects, and microorganisms. In a polluted lake, this variety shrinks dramatically. Some fish cannot survive without sufficient oxygen, while others are poisoned by toxic substances. Invertebrates and plankton — the foundation of the aquatic food web — can be wiped out, leaving nothing to support larger animals.

Health Risks to Humans

Polluted lakes are not just bad for wildlife — they pose risks to people as well. Swimming in water contaminated with sewage can expose bathers to harmful bacteria and viruses, leading to stomach illnesses, skin rashes, or respiratory problems. Some algae release toxins that can cause serious health problems in both humans and animals. Dogs, for example, are particularly vulnerable to blue-green algae toxins, which can be fatal.

Decline in Water Quality for Drinking and Irrigation

Many reservoirs are used to supply drinking water. When they become polluted, the cost of treatment increases significantly. Water companies must remove more contaminants, which requires energy, chemicals, and infrastructure. These costs ultimately fall on consumers. Polluted water can also be unsuitable for irrigation, damaging crops or introducing harmful substances into the food chain.

Economic Impacts

Polluted lakes are unattractive to visitors, which reduces tourism and recreation. Local economies that depend on fishing, boating, or lakeside businesses suffer as a result. Property values around polluted lakes may drop, and local councils may face higher costs for environmental restoration. In some cases, pollution can even lead to fines or legal action against polluters, creating further financial burdens.

Long-Term Damage

If pollution continues unchecked, lakes can undergo long-term, possibly irreversible changes. Sediments enriched with nutrients and toxins can act as a permanent source of pollution, even if inflows are reduced. The food web may be permanently altered, with invasive species replacing native ones. In extreme cases, lakes may become unusable for any purpose, effectively lost as a natural resource.

The Solution: Organic Enzyme Bioremediation

Bioglobe specialises in organic solutions to these problems. Instead of turning to harsh chemical treatments, we have developed enzyme-based remediation methods that are safe, effective, and adaptable to each specific situation.

What Are Enzymes and How Do They Work?

Enzymes are natural proteins that speed up chemical reactions. In the context of pollution, they can help break down complex contaminants into simpler, harmless substances. For example, enzymes can turn oils into fatty acids and glycerol, or convert organic waste into carbon dioxide and water.

Because enzymes are natural and biodegradable, they do not leave harmful residues behind. They carry out their work and then break down themselves, leaving the ecosystem unharmed.

Bespoke Enzyme Blends from Bioglobe

One of Bioglobe’s key strengths is that we do not offer a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Every polluted lake has a unique profile of contaminants. Our laboratory analyses water samples to determine what pollutants are present and in what concentrations. Based on this analysis, we create bespoke enzyme blends designed to target those specific pollutants.

For example, a lake suffering mainly from nutrient overload and algal blooms would receive a blend that helps reduce phosphorus and nitrogen, while another contaminated by hydrocarbons might require enzymes that break down oil residues. This tailored approach ensures maximum efficacy in each situation.

Treating Nutrient Pollution and Algal Blooms

Enzyme treatments can help restore balance by breaking down organic waste that releases nutrients into the water. This lowers the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus available to algae, reducing their growth. At the same time, enzymes can help remove existing algal biomass more effectively than mechanical removal, which is often temporary and disruptive. Unlike chemical algaecides, which can kill fish and other organisms, enzyme treatments are non-toxic and selective.

Addressing Sewage and Organic Waste

Sewage contains a mixture of organic waste, bacteria, and chemicals. Enzyme blends can help break down organic matter, reducing the biological oxygen demand of the water. This leaves more oxygen available for fish and other organisms. Enzymes can also support beneficial bacteria that further process waste naturally, creating a healthier microbial balance.

Breaking Down Hydrocarbons and Oils

Pollution from oils and hydrocarbons is particularly damaging because these substances form films on the water’s surface, blocking oxygen transfer. Bioglobe’s enzyme formulations are capable of breaking down hydrocarbons under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. This means they can work in oxygen-rich surface waters as well as oxygen-poor sediments, accelerating the natural degradation of oil without toxic side-effects.

Sludge Reduction

Over time, lakes accumulate layers of sludge composed of organic debris, dead plants, and silt. This sludge is not only unsightly but also a source of further pollution as it decomposes. Enzyme treatments can break down this material, reducing sludge volume and releasing nutrients in a controlled way that does not overwhelm the system. This helps restore depth, clarity, and overall health to the lake.

Supporting Ecosystem Recovery

Enzyme treatments do not work in isolation — they support the natural processes already present in lakes. By breaking down pollutants, they create a cleaner, safer environment in which plants, fish, and microorganisms can recover. Unlike chemicals that may damage non-target organisms, enzymes encourage biodiversity to return. Over time, this helps lakes and reservoirs regain their natural balance.

A Realistic Timeline for Improvement

It is important to understand that lake restoration is not instantaneous. Improvement depends on the severity of pollution, the size of the lake, and the sources of ongoing contamination.

• Short-term (weeks to months): Visible improvements in water clarity, reduction in surface scum, and fewer odours.
• Medium-term (several months to a year): Recovery of oxygen levels, healthier fish populations, fewer algal blooms.
• Long-term (years): Restoration of biodiversity, stabilisation of sediments, and resilience against future pollution.

The key is consistency. With ongoing treatment and monitoring, lakes can gradually recover to a healthy and sustainable state.

Why Choose Organic Enzyme Remediation?

• Environmentally safe: Enzymes are natural and biodegradable, leaving no harmful residues.
• Customisable: Bespoke blends mean every lake receives the right treatment for its specific pollutants.
• Non-disruptive: Treatments work with nature rather than against it, avoiding harm to fish, plants, or beneficial microbes.
• Sustainable: Unlike chemicals, enzymes support long-term ecosystem recovery.
• Cost-effective: Prevents expensive chemical treatments and reduces future costs of water purification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes lakes to become polluted?

Lakes are polluted by a range of factors, including:

• Fertilisers and pesticides from agriculture washing into water bodies.
• Sewage discharges, both treated and untreated.
• Industrial effluents containing oils, metals, and chemicals.
• Organic waste and sediments that deplete oxygen.
• Climate change, which worsens algal blooms and increases runoff.

Can bioremediation reverse the damage?

Yes, bioremediation can reverse much of the damage caused by pollution. By breaking down pollutants and reducing nutrient overload, enzyme treatments help restore balance and improve water quality. However, success also depends on reducing the sources of pollution upstream. If contamination continues unchecked, remediation will only be partially effective.

How long before water quality improves?

Improvements can often be seen within weeks to months, especially in terms of clarity and odour reduction. More substantial recovery, including healthier fish populations and biodiversity, may take months to a year. Full restoration of large or heavily polluted lakes may take several years, but with ongoing treatment, positive progress can be achieved at every stage.

Final Thoughts

Polluted lakes and reservoirs are a growing challenge, but they do not need to be written off as lost causes. With the right approach, they can be restored to health, supporting wildlife, providing clean water, and serving as valuable community resources once again.

At Bioglobe, we believe in working with nature rather than against it. Our organic enzyme solutions represent a safe, sustainable, and effective way to remediate pollution without causing further harm. Whether the problem is nutrient overload, sewage, hydrocarbons, or sludge, our bespoke enzyme blends can provide a tailored solution.

By choosing organic bioremediation, communities can ensure that lakes and reservoirs remain assets for generations to come — clean, healthy, and thriving.

Bioglobe offer Organic Enzyme pollution remediation for major oil-spills, oceans and coastal waters, marinas and inland water, sewage and nitrate remediation and agriculture and brown-field sites, throughout the UK and Europe.

We have created our own Enzyme based bioremediation in our own laboratory in Cyprus and we are able to create bespoke variants for maximum efficacy.

Our team are able to identify the pollution, we then assess the problem, conduct site tests and send samples to our lab where we can create a bespoke variant, we then conduct a pilot test and proceed from there.

Our Enzyme solutions are available around the world, remediation pollution organically without any harm to the ecosystem.

For further information:
BioGlobe LTD (UK),
Phone: +44(0) 116 4736303| Email: info@bioglobe.co.uk