Saumarez Park pond replenishment halted
TANKERS of fresh water being arranged to be delivered to the pond at Saumarez Park were put on pause ahead of the North Show and could no longer be needed.
More than 100 dead fish were removed from the pond earlier in the month after being concentrated into a small area and combined with an increase of algae had led to reduced oxygen levels. Fish are now no longer dying.
‘We are currently waiting for test results on the sediment,’ said a member of the team at D W Lloyd, which carried out the work free of charge.
‘We stopped with the tankers of water because they were affecting the ammonia and pH levels in the pond, and need to find a fine balance.’
Seven tankers, each containing 7,000 litres of non-drinking water, had been added to the pond within the first day of cleaning, and more were to be delivered in the following weeks.
‘We took the decision to pause that operation ahead of the North Show last week,’ said a spokeswoman for Agriculture Countryside and Land Management Services.
‘D W Lloyd has now introduced a new system to maintain oxygen levels in the pond. We will continue to monitor the situation.’
A permanent pump now resides in the pond to stabilise the water, and parties are now waiting for sediment and tests to settle before planning the future course of action.
