Bales of barley to help protect water quality in city lake
The move is one of a number of initiatives planned by city officials to ensure the wild fowl amenity does not suffer a repeat outbreak of botulism which devastated the lake’s bird population last year. Last June, dozens of ducks and swans died after the disease swept through the popular carp fishery on the city’s southside. The outbreak followed a lengthy period of dry weather which hit the springs that normally replenish the water in the nine-acre limestone lake, turning the water stagnant.
Bacteria forming on stale bread fed to the birds compounded the outbreak. Since then, city officials have been constantly monitoring the water quality. In a report to councillors on Monday, officials said water quality readings are being taken every day from 10 different sample points, measuring dissolved oxygen levels, acidity and water temperatures.
