Blue green algae at Milton Country Park ‘now well within the safe limit’

Water activities are beginning again at Todd’s Pitt in Milton Country Park after managers found that the lake no longer has dangerous levels of blue green algae.

When the blue green algae was discovered earlier this summer, management suspended all water activities because the algae can be toxic to people and animals. Visitors were warned not to enter the water or allow dogs near the lake.

Its toxins can kill wild animals and domestic pets. In humans, they can cause rashes after skin contact and illnesses if swallowed. Dogs exposed to toxic blue green algae can become very ill, very quickly.

However, the latest tests carried out by the Environment Agency show that the lake’s blue green algae has dropped to safe levels.

A spokesperson for the park said in a statement on social media: “Todd’s Pit is now well within the safe limit for algae as tested by the Environment Agency this morning. Blue green algae is a natural occurrence which can be hard to predict and so we are watching the water closely and will retest if there is any doubt.

“For now however we are reopening and resuming our seasonal water programme. This will be going up online in the next few days so do bear with us. As is usual for September we will also be reviewing light and temperatures as we go.”