Residents Organize Meeting to Restore Arresø Lake in Denmark

In the North Zealand landscape lies Denmark’s largest lake, Arresø. Surrounded by unique nature and diverse birdlife, the lake attracts nature enthusiasts. However, beneath the surface, it is far less appealing. For many years, untreated wastewater from nearby towns such as Hillerød and Frederiksværk has been discharged into the lake. Today, Arresø is one of the country’s most polluted lakes, and swimming and fishing have been prohibited for years.

A group of local residents hopes to change this situation. They have organized a public meeting at Auderød Harbor in Frederiksværk with the vision of restoring the lake to a condition suitable for swimming and fishing. Among the participants are mayors, nature advocates, and representatives from the agricultural sector who will engage in presentations and discussions.

The meeting’s organizers aim to clarify what is necessary for the restoration of Arresø, who will be responsible for it, and when it might become a reality. Lotte Andersen, one of the initiators, expressed optimism that the mayors will commit to taking action together.

Bent Hansen, the mayor of Gribskov Municipality, shares the dream of a clean Arresø. He, along with the mayors of Halsnæs and Hillerød, sent a letter to the environment minister in 2022 expressing this desire. While he acknowledges the dream of a truly clean lake, he admits he cannot predict how many years the restoration will take.

To make Arresø usable again, the discharge of wastewater must cease, and the lake must be cleaned. Hansen warns that this could be costly for landowners across the three municipalities involved. As elections approach, he notes, political decisions become challenging due to potential voter backlash. Andersen agrees on the high costs but highlights available unused EU funding specifically for the restoration of lakes and fjords.