Park lake closed after sewage pours into water

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A lake in a park has been closed after sewage leaked into the water.

Danson Park Lake in Bexley has had all water-based activities cancelled until further notice after a damaged sewer was found pumping waste into the water.

Darren Bartholomew, 49, goes to Danson Park every day, having lived nearby his entire life.

He said: “You can see sewage coming out the pipe directly on top of nursing fish.

“You can clearly see the colour change from night to day. It went from crystal clear to a pooey colour. You could see it in clouds.”

The problem was caused by a blocked sewer, which has since been cleared, stopping the leak.

It is not the first incident to occur at the lake, however. In 2016, Bexley council fined Thames Water £110,000 for blocked pipes leaking sewage into Danson Park Lake.

Another incident in 2011 saw the water service being scolded after 3,500 fish were said to have died from pollution in the lake.

Mr Bartholomew said he often uses the lake to fish, and that the bottom of the stream is usually “black” in colour from all of the nursing fish there.

He said: “The carp were wiped out 10 years ago by the same thing happening, so us fishermen were very worried when we saw this.

“The lake is fairly big, so fingers crossed it didn’t get in and affect the big carp in there.”

Claire Hedderman, 50, is a member of the Welling Labour Action Team. She said she didn’t see any signs from the council about the issue in the park when she visited on Saturday, and that Thames Water workers were spraying clear water into the stream.

She said: “It became visible that brown sludge or waste was going into the water. I saw pollution in the stream that morning, with young fish swimming upstream where it was brown and opaque where the pipe was leaking.

“I only hope the birds weren’t poisoned or the dogs.”

A Bexley Council spokeswoman said: “Thames Water will continue to monitor and take daily readings but say the water is already showing improvements.

“Water activities remain closed as a precaution while investigations are taking place.

“We are aware of the potential impact upon fish stocks and are working closely with the Environmental Agency.”

A Thames Water spokesman said: “Our engineers responded to reports of pollution at Dansons Park Lake on Friday, February 24.

“They found a blockage in the sewer line caused by wet wipes and fats, oils and greases.

“This was cleared straight away, and mitigation has been put in place daily, to restore water quality levels to Environment Agency standard, of which is ongoing.”

Pictured top: The cordoned-off Danson Park Lake (Picture: Claire Hedderman)