Machines fitted after fish deaths
THE council has introduced special machines to save the lives of fish in a popular park lake.
Cheshire East Council have placed ‘aerators’ into Ryle’s Pool, in South Park, Macclesfield, to increase the level of oxygen in the water.
This comes after park goers reported 11 dead fish in the park earlier this month.
Cheshire East Council said the machines will stay for the foreseeable.
A spokesperson said: “In response to concerns expressed by members of the public, the council – through its environmental services company Ansa – has installed two aerators to assist with oxygenating the water at South Park Lake. We hope that this will help to support the fish stock during this period of hot weather. The aerators will remain in place until such time as they are deemed to be no longer necessary.”
Daniel Bailey, 17, recently waded into the water to remove eight dead carp. He said: “I’m happy with the installation of the tho aerators. I am certain that if they hadn’t been installed the four carp remaining would have also died. Its nice to know the hard work me and others have put in has made a difference.”
Environment Agency officers said nine Carp, one Pike and one Perch had died at the lake.
A spokesman said: “We have recommended the need for a permanent air ratio unit which will increase the oxygen levels. No fish are currently in distress and the Council have confirmed that they will purchase the required equipment as soon as possible.
“EA will continue to monitor the situation.” The news comes almost two years after Cheshire East Council spent £180,000 on de-silting the lake.