Sedgemoor District Council has this week warned Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge dog walkers to stay away from the water at Highbridge’s Apex Park lakes after ‘potentially toxic’ algae was found.
The council says blue-green algae has been found in the water at Apex Park during the last few days. It has a noticecable green appearance, as pictured above on Monday evening.
The water, if touched, could cause skin irritation or an ‘upset stomach’ and can be dangerous to dogs.
Warning signs are going up around the lakes. The green algae has been a frequent occurence during periods of hot weather over recent years.
The council’s Paula Barber told Burnham-On-Sea.com that the authority is awaiting scientific test results to establish the type of algal bloom present.
“Sedgemoor District Council’s Clean Surroundings team will carry out regular inspections of the lake to monitor any changes and ensure adequate signage is in place around the lake,” she said.
“The Environment Agency will also continue to monitor the situation and sample the water weekly until the bloom subsides.”
As a precaution, visitors have been advised to stay away from the water and dog owners have been advised to keep their pets from entering the lakes.
Visitors should also avoid “prolonged contact” with the lake and avoid eating the area’s fish where algae is present. Warning signs are to be placed around the site as a precaution.
The algae will not affect the upcoming Apex Park Playday event, which is due to go ahead as planned on Wednesday, August 1st.
However, water activities such as paddle boarding and fishing will be withdrawn to ensure the safety of visitors. There will still be over 40 activities taking place from fizz pop science and slime making to face painters and a climbing wall.
The council is urging visitors not to swim in the water, not to let dogs in the water or let them drink it, not to swallow the water, avoid contact with the algae, not to eat fish caught from the water, and to observe and abide by any warning notices positioned around the water.
