Murky pond will cost 'hundreds of thousands' to fix

A pond covered in green algae and infiltrated by "toxins" claimed to be impacting wildlife would cost "hundreds of thousands" to put right, according to a pond expert in Guernsey.

In August 2022, islanders were warned not to let pets jump in or drink from the pond at Saumarez Park due to the high levels of green algae.

At the time Daniel Lloyd advised the States to take steps including increasing water flow, aeration, with longer term suggestions to prevent a recurrence - and he now says the situation has worsened.

He said the States "needs to think hard about what they need to do and I think we need to act quickly on it" - the States has been contacted for comment.

Lloyd added: "It's in a bit of a state.

"There's got to be a lot of investment on that pond to get it back to its original state."

He said his previous suggestions had included halving its size and making a "nature reserve" area for the ducks.

"It's going to cost a lot - in the hundreds of thousands - to get it back to its original state."

He said it also needed do be dredged with care due to the toxins caused by sunlight, heat and "lack of movement".

He said he would like the States to get in touch for a "serious" meeting, adding: "I just want them to get in touch and let's have a meeting about it.

"I've got a passion for ponds and my passion is just to get the wildlife back in - then the fish are happy and the ducks will be happy and the people will be happy."

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