Halton Borough Council is asking for the public’s help to keep the wildlife at Victoria Park lake fit and healthy as it works to reduce pollution in the water.
Recent water testing at the lake has shown there are heightened levels of nitrates and ammonia which has contributed to the death of fish, recent algal blooms, and foul smelling water.
The Council believes that these high levels have been caused by overfeeding, high levels of decomposing food and excess animal waste within the water.
It needs to lower the pollution over the coming months and is working on solutions such as introducing beneficial aerobic bacteria and removing ammonia.
So, if you do go to the park to feed the birds, please remember the following:
- Take smaller quantities of food– you will not be the only person feeding the birds on a particular day.
- Use the appropriate food such as oats, peas, corn, lettuce or duck and swan seed.
- Please avoid giving bread, it has a very low nutritional value for birds, it fills them up too quickly and they do not engage in their natural foraging behaviour. The waste wrappers from bread can also block the aerators in the pond if not properly disposed of.
- Take even less food during the summer months – there is plenty of natural food during these months for a healthy diet.
- Please keep dogs on leads and out of the water.
Thank you for your co-operation.