Boating lake closed due to dangerous algal bloom

A town has been forced to close a boating lake due to a potentially toxic algal bloom.

Other facilities remain open at Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds, Wiltshire, but the lake itself is closed until further notice, the town council said.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, blooms are caused by excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. They can be toxic to humans and pets and kill aquatic life by depriving waterways of oxygen.

Kevin Whitehorn, parks and estate manager at Warminster Town Council, said the advice from the environment agency was to keep people and pets away from the water.

Nitrogen and phosphorus are a key ingredient in agricultural fertilisers and are found in sewage via human excrement and their use as an ingredient in many cleaning and personal hygiene products.

Warm water temperatures and stagnant conditions also increase the risk of an algal bloom.

Humans who come into contact with cyanobacteria risk rashes, flu-like symptoms and eye or throat irritation, while swallowing the contaminated water can lead to vomiting and diarrhoea.

If ingested by animals such as dogs, it can cause sickness, muscle twitches and seizure and even death in extreme cases.

Whitehorn said: "Unfortunately, the town council has closed the lake in the park due to the discovery of a blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom.

"This means that the boats will not be available to hire and the model boat club will not be meeting at the park."

The town council said it was working with the Environment Agency and would reopen the lake as soon as it was safe to do so.

Other facilities on site, including the snack bar, skate park, splash pad, play areas, putting green and tennis courts remain open as normal.

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