Published: January 19, 2012
Repairs get underway at Burnham's Marine Cove after pond fish die

Repair work is underway at Burnham-On-Sea's recently-opened Marine Cove gardens after several fish died in its pond.

Sedgemoor District Council, which manages the seafront gardens, has this week called in a specialist firm to investigate problems with the water levels after several visitors reported seeing fish floating in the pond, pictured above.

A faulty water pump has been identified as the source of the problems and a temporary fix has been put in place to try and avoid further issues.

Harley Cook, parks officer at Sedgemoor District Council, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Kingcombe Aquacare, the Council’s water care specialist, visited the site this week and identified a problem."

"The non-return valves in the recirculation pump line are being retained open by a very small amount of gunge. The return for this pipe is under water in the lower pond so when the pump switches off - due to frost stat/timer/power cut - water has the ability to run back into the balance tank and down the overflow."

"Kingcombe has therefore consulted with the supplier of the pump who has recommended that a swan neck type fitting be fixed to the sub surface pond inlet on the lower pond. This will return water above water level, leaving an air gap and removing the potential for back-siphoning. This should solve the issue with the non-return valves for good."

"In the meantime, the electrical engineer has made some alterations to the control as a temporary measure."

Marine Cove's gardens officially re-opened in December after a £360,000 four-year project to refurbish the gardens.

The refurbishment project was part-funded with £344,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund plus grants from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, Viridor and Sedgemoor District Council.

Meanwhile, The Friends of Marine Cove has repeated its appeal for unused and unwanted gardening tools to be handed in for use at the gardens. The tools can be handed in during Thursday (19th January) between 9am and 10.30am.

Pictured: Top, the Marine Cove pond's low water level seen earlier this week