EFFORTS are being made to clean up contaminated water in a popular park’s lake after dozens of dead fish began floating to the surface.

The Victorian lake in Wallasey’s Central Park is being pumped with clean water after high temperatures caused toxic blue-green algae to form, starving fish of oxygen.

Now officials are posting signs at the site and at Captain’s Pit in Hoseside Road banning fishing and warning of the health dangers posed by the algae.

Staff from Wirral Council’s parks and gardens department have been out every day of the heatwave pumping water into the pond in a bid to make oxygen levels safe for fish to survive.

But with the unusually hot weather expected to last well into next week, there are concerns many more fish will die over the coming days.

Regular visitor Vicky Eyno, who lives opposite the park, told the Globe: “I go there every day and have seen lots of dead fish lying on the bank.

“It’s dreadful to see so many fish left to suffer.

“Park staff are doing all they can, but why can’t the council pay for an aerator? It would definitely help.”

A council spokesman said: “It is obviously a distressing thing to happen and an upsetting thing for visitors to the park to see.

“Fish deaths like this can happen during a period of hot weather when the water heats up; blue-green algae can form, draining much of the oxygen fish need to survive.

"The council is putting up warning signs at Central Park lake and also at Captain’s Pit, saying that although the formation of blue-green algae is a natural occurrence, if people swallow affected water or algal scum it could cause stomach upsets or more serious health effects."

The official continued: “People are urged not to fish at either site until further testing confirms that it is safe to do so.

“It is also a sensible precaution to prevent children or animals coming into contact with any green algal scum or water close to it.”

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We have been working with the local authority and the angling club to closely monitor the situation, providing advice and equipment when needed."

  • The scientific name for blue-green alga is Cyanobacteria.
  • It can produce toxins that are harmful to the health of people and animals.