“Thick and awful” green weeds covering a once-clear pond can be smelled from resident’s flats.
It is a serious and complex environmental problem, says the authority responsible for Queens Park and its duck pond, for which no long-term solution has been found.
South Swindon Parish Council (SSPC) say all attempts have failed to clear the pondweed which effectively covers the entire water surface.
Susie Wagner lives next to Queens Park. She said: “The pond weed is completely covering the pond - it is completely thick and green and awful.
“It’s disgusting.”
Susie explained it used to be “lovely and clear”, but now birds must “crawl through the muck”.
It used to be “lovely and clear”, but now birds must “crawl through the muck” (Image: Susie Wagner)
A SSPC spokesperson said: “The parish council is aware of residents’ concerns regarding the duckweed at Queen’s Park and we are working towards a long-term solution to the problem.
“This is a complex environmental issue that we are taking very seriously.
“Previous efforts to tackle the duckweed problem have included skimming the duckweed off the surface of the water and treating the water to break down the silt at the bottom of the lake.
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“Over the past three months, we have been proactively working to understand and address the root causes of this problem. Our efforts include:
“Collaborating closely with the Environment Agency to investigate the duckweed issue.
The pond in slightly clearer days. Credit: Dave Cox
“Commissioning a professional water analysis of Queen's Park ponds and surrounding areas to identify pollutants contributing to duckweed overgrowth. Water samples were taken from all the ponds on Friday 12th July by an environmental consultant.
“Reviewing our own practices to ensure we are not inadvertently contributing to the problem. We continue to maintain organic and environmentally sympathetic gardening methods.
“Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the area to identify potential pollution sources, including inspecting local roads, drains, and historical land use.
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“Engaging with Thames Water to verify the condition of local sewage and drainage systems.
“Reaching out to nearby private landowners and businesses to discuss their land use practices and potential impacts on Queen's Park.
“While we have not yet identified a feasible solution for removing the duckweed in the long term, our primary focus remains on addressing the underlying causes of its excessive growth.
“We are committed to finding a sustainable solution to protect the park's aquatic life and preserve this valuable community asset.
“We will continue to work with environmental experts and local partners to resolve this issue.”
As part of the parish council’s 2019/20 budget, it took over maintenance of Queens Park along with the Town Gardens.
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