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Dorset Lake Choked by Algae, Businesses Suffer
28 Aug
Summary
- Poole Park lake covered in green slime due to works and hot weather.
- Algal bloom toxins can harm wildlife, livestock, pets, and humans.
- Local restaurant trade down by 65% due to the 'disgusting' outbreak.
A picturesque boating lake in Dorset has been severely affected by a green algae outbreak, leading to a significant decline in sales for nearby businesses. The 50-acre lake in Poole Park is now covered in slime, attributed to ongoing essential works on its sluice channel and recent hot weather. This situation has caused distress, with one local restaurant reporting a 65% decrease in turnover.
According to the Environment Agency, such algal blooms can produce toxins. These toxins pose risks to wildlife, livestock, pets, and humans, potentially causing rashes or illness upon contact or ingestion. Model boat clubs are also unable to use the lake due to the slimy conditions. This event occurs as a recent assessment revealed only 14% of England's waterways are in good ecological health.
