Wiltshire lake closed after toxic algae found as warning issued

Warminster council has been forced to close the lake at the town’s main recreation park following the discovery of toxic Blue-Green Algae bloom.

The closure of the lake in the Lake Pleasure Grounds means that boaters will be unable to use it and dogs should also not be allowed to go into the water.

The town council banned boating on the lake on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday June 30 and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

The Warminster lake is temporarily closed due to Blue-Green Algae. Trevor Porter 77184 -2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Stuart Legg, parks and estate manager for Warminster Town Council, 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.

"Blue-Green Algae can be toxic and the advice from the Environment Agency is to keep people and pets away from the water.

“Warminster Town Council are working with The Environment Agency and will re-open the lake as soon as safe to do so."

Mr Legg said the council is "waiting for a change in the weather" in the hope the Blue-Green Algae bloom will disappear naturally.

It has consulted the Environment Agency and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and needs either rain or a high volume of very bright sunshine to clear the bloom.

The Warminster lake is temporarily closed due to Blue-Green Algae. Trevor Porter 77184 -3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The council has previously described the lake as a "real gem" and the Lake Pleasure Grounds are one of the most popular recreational attractions in Warminster. They boast a play area, a putting green, a skatepark, splashpad, tennis courts and the Pavilion Cafe.

The dangerous algae has also previously affected the nearby Shearwater Lake on the Longleat Estate, although it is now open again for coarse fishing.

Local vets Harris Hill & Gibbons, which has branches in Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Westbury and Warminster, have previously warned about the dangers of Blue-Green Algae to pets.

They said: "Blue-Green Algae blooms may appear as green or greenish-brown scum on the surface of water and can contain toxins that can be harmful for animals if ingested, even in small quantities.

"Dogs can swallow this algae by drinking water from an affected lake, river or pond or while licking their fur after going for a swim.

"Symptoms of exposure can appear within a few minutes or hours, depending on the type of toxin ingested, and commonly include: vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, disorientation, trouble breathing, seizures and blood in faeces. If left untreated, it can cause liver damage and ultimately be rapidly fatal."