Newry, Mourne and Down has declared two of its lakes safe to the public after health warning closures.
Two Northern Ireland lakes have been cleared safe for public use, but mystery remains over the cause of the pollution.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council alerted the public on August 12 to hazard conditions at its waterways which could lead to people entering the water becoming ill.
Poor conditions at Castlewellan Lake in Co Down and Camlough Lake in south Armagh were identified with new test results expected this week.
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A council spokesperson today, August 20, said: “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council can advise that water quality at both Castlewellan Lake and Camlough Lake has improved, following recent retesting.
“Public notices previously erected regarding guidance to recreational users on water quality have been removed.”
The council has as yet to identify what the potential pollutant is and its source after being asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Conditions at the waterways were initially raised on July 29, with repeat testing carried out. The LDRS understands that the water concerns are not around blue-green algae.
Castlewellan Lake located within the forest park attracts thousands of visitors annually for a variety of activities, including canoeing, paddle-boarding, and fishing. Camlough Lake is also due for a major development with plans for the council to generate a water activity facility supported by £2.8million of UK Levelling Up funds.
A NMDDC spokesperson added: “While both Castlewellan and Camlough Lakes are not designated as bathing waters, due to the high level of recreational use at both Castlewellan and Camlough Lakes, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has undertaken water quality testing from May and will continue to do so until September 2025.
“While this is not a statutory obligation, it is undertaken to provide users with guidance regarding the quality of the water, at a particular sample point in time.
The most recent test, which is a standard for bathing, had indicated below sufficient water quality at both lakes. As a precaution, this guidance was provided to recreational users at both Camlough and Castlewellan Lake.”
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