Take care at Freshwater East

Pembrokeshire County Council is urging people to take care if they visit a popular beach in the County.

It follows the discovery of blue-green algae at the stream at Freshwater East.

The advice from the Council’s Public Protection Division is:

• DON’T swim in or near the stream
• DON’T swallow the stream water
• AVOID contact with the algae
• DON’T eat fish caught in the stream
• DON’T allow pets or livestock to come into contact with the water in the stream as it has the potential to be fatal to animals
• ABIDE by notices positioned at the site

The algae produce toxins which can cause skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, fever and headache if swallowed.

Occasionally it can cause more serious illness such as liver and brain damage.

Children are at greater risk than adults of developing problems because of their comparative lower body weight.

Officers from Pollution Control have put signs out on the beach and by the stream warning people to be careful and numbers for people to contact for further information.

Natural Resources Wales, who are monitoring the situation, will continue to test the algae in the water until such time that the stream can be considered clear of it.

The blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) occurs naturally in inland waters, estuaries and seas and cannot be removed or treated.

It thrives in warm conditions so its presence is likely to come and go depending on the weather conditions. But it is not expected to clear until the weather gets noticeably colder.

Further information on blue-green algae is available from

• Natural Resources Wales (Environmental Monitoring) – 0800 807060
• Pembrokeshire County Council’s Public Protection Department – 01437 764551 (out of hours 0845 601552)
• Pembrokeshire County Council’s Contact Centre – 01437 764551