Toxic algae warning for Rochford park (From Echo)

Toxic algae warning for Rochford park

3:35pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in News By Emma Thomas

Rochford District Council is issuing a warning to all pet owners in the district who use Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park after the discovery of potentially toxic algal blooms in the lake.

During periods of warm, sunny, calm weather algal blooms can naturally appear in water.

Following the discovery of what appeared to be algae and algae scum on the lake at Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park, the council put up precautionary notices around the lake warning visitors of the possible dangers of Blue Green Algae.

Samples of the algae and water were taken and sent for testing by the Environment Agency.

The results of these samples have confirmed that potentially toxic Blue Green Algae is present in the lake which may cause illness in humans and animals.

The council is requesting that visitors to the lake take the following precautions:

• Keep away from the water's edge.

• Keep pets away from the water's edge.

• Do not touch scum, either in the water or on the banks.

More information regarding Algal Blooms can be found at www.rochford.gov.uk

Rochford District Council’s Open Spaces Manager, Marcus Hotten, said: “We’ve had a great deal of mild, warmer weather recently and this has provided ideal conditions for blue green algae to naturally develop.
When the weather cools down it tends to disperse naturally, but in the meantime we would ask that visitors take a few simple precautions if they’re taking their pets for a walk in the park. Keep animals on leads and away from the water’s edge.

"If residents want to find out more about blue green algae then I would urge them to look at our website where there’s a leaflet from the Environment Agency which gives you more details.”

The council has made arrangements for further sampling of the lake within the next four weeks.