Cardiff: Swimming 'paused' at re-opened reservoir after suspected swimmer's itch case
Welsh Water said the water quality at Llanishen Reservoir is "excellent" but a case "consistent with swimmers' itch" meant open water swimming had been paused "as a precautionary measure".
Thursday 27 July 2023 19:35, UK
A newly re-opened reservoir will not allow open water swimming for the time being due to a possible parasite.
Welsh Water has announced the activity at the Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs in Cardiff has been "paused" because of an unconfirmed case of 'swimmer's itch', also known as cercarial dermatitis.
It appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to some parasites that infect some birds and mammals, and is more frequently found during summer.
Also, visitors won't be able to hire paddle boards at the site but they can bring their own.
A spokesperson for Welsh Water said tests carries out over the past few months found the water quality at Llanishen reservoir was "excellent".
"However, after one open water swimming session last week there was a report consistent with swimmers' itch", the spokesperson said.
"This can occur at open water sites where wildfowl and fresh water snails are present - both are at the reservoir."
The site will re-open to the public on Friday and is set to offer a number of outdoor activities, including sailing, canoeing, and kayaking.
The Victorian reservoirs have been transformed into health and wellbeing "hubs" and there is also a two-storey visitor centre.
It includes a cafe and meeting rooms, with a night-time restaurant also set to open at the centre in September.
The Welsh Water spokesperson added: "As a precautionary measure, we have paused open water swimming while we take further advice on the location of the open water swimming course - which is currently in shallow water where the risk of swimmers' itch - which is quite common in open water - is higher."