Council say they’re ‘keen to re-open’ Llanelli’s North Dock, but algae still posing health risk

The Council put up warning signs urging people to stay out of the water 3 weeks ago after algae blooms were discovered that could cause illness in both humans and animals.

With the warm weather continuing, people are getting impatient to use the dock for water-based activities once again.

In response, the Council has said that it’s in regular dialogue with Natural Resources Wales on testing and potential solutions for an issue that it says is not unique to North Dock in Llanelli.

Carmarthenshire Council said it’s working hard to manage the level of water circulation and trialling the manual removal of some algae dynamically and carefully. Beyond this, they say they’re advised that there are limits to what it can do, mindful of the environmental designations of the Loughor Estuary.

It adds that rising temperatures across the world are seeing natural environmental change and they’re doing all they can to maximise North Docks’ continued summer viability for leisure use.

Cllr. Aled Vaughan Owen, Carmarthenshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability said: “There is not a straightforward solution to this problem as it’s important to remember that the whole of the Loughor Estuary is a habitat for local wildlife. Both bodies of water, the North Dock and the Estuary, have complex and dynamic characteristics; the movement and circulation of water between both areas has to be carefully managed.”

Cllr. Gareth John, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure Culture and Tourism said: “We want North Dock to be used for its intended purpose, which is as a safe, inland, recreational body of water and we are working with other agencies to resolve the issue. There is no truth to the rumours of plans to sell the Dock. We are committed to developing the area for recreational purposes.”

(Lead image: Jaggery / Wikimedia)