Wick and Watten algal bloom 'has dissipated'
Blue-green algae is no longer posing a health risk at Wick River and Loch Watten, Highland Council has confirmed.
The issue came to light at the end of July when the algae was found at Watten. A foam that formed at the edge of the loch was said to be related to the bloom naturally breaking down.
Highland Council’s environmental health team then announced that blue-green algae had been discovered at Wick River, near the Coghill footbridge.
Contact with the algae can have health effects for humans and animals. As a precautionary measure, contact with the algal scum should be avoided by people and pets.
Warning signs were erected by the local authority on each side of Wick River. One of these was still in place this week, while another appeared to have been taken off.
A Highland Council spokesman said on Tuesday: “The algal bloom which was affecting Loch Watten and the Wick River has dissipated. The warning signs will be removed shortly as the public advisory is no longer in effect.”