Following several days of soaring temperatures, the water at Ruislip Lido has been fenced off after an outbreak of blue and green algae.
Located on the edge of Ruislip Woods in Hillingdon, the 60-acre lake with sandy beaches is a great place to take the family.
However, under government guidance, the lido has had to close the water off to the public amid fear the algae could be toxic to humans and fatal to dogs.
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According to the Environmental Agency : “Cyanobacteria or ‘blue-green algae’, a type of blooming algae, can produce toxins.
“These toxins can kill wild animals, livestock and pets.
“They can also harm people, producing rashes after skin contact and illnesses if swallowed.”
Algae occur naturally in inland waters such as rivers, streams and lakes and particularly thrive when the water is hot.
In July, the capital has enjoyed some of the year’s hottest temperatures, consistently surpassing the 30C mark.
Ruislip Lido was immensely popular during this time, but it seems that the hot weather has had an adverse effect on the water.
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Taking to Facebook, Hillingdon Council wrote: “The water at Ruislip Lido has been fenced off as a precaution due to a bloom of blue-green algae.
“These blooms naturally occur in hot, sunny weather, but the algae can be fatal to dogs and toxic to humans. People and pets must stay out of the water.”
With damp weather forecast for the immediate future, let’s hope the unwanted blooms can dissipate before the next heatwave, so our dogs and we can enjoy some freshwater swimming once again.
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