Marine Lake in Rhyl has become a designated EU sampling point for water quality, the first inland designated bathing waters in Wales.
Welsh Government has recently completed a review of the Wales Designated Bathing Waters list for the 2012 bathing season. Water quality at the site has been continually monitored for the past three years and has consistently achieved the Guideline Quality (Excellent), however until January 2012 it was not a recognised EU sampling point.
Further to an application submitted in October 2011 by Denbighshire County Council it is now a designated EU sampling point. This now means that from 15 May to 30 September 2012 the Environment Agency will monitor the quality of the water at Marine Lake.
The European Bathing Water Directive aims to protect human health by requiring Member States to identify popular bathing waters; monitor their water quality; inform bathers about water quality; and over time to achieve good water quality at all designated sites.
Carol Evans. Principal Rhyl Going Forward Officer said: “What this means for the site is that lake users can confidently assume that their health, safety and well being need not be a matter of concern and that indeed, the Lake can be developed for further uses such as triathlon events and training and the growing sport of open water swimming.
“General bathing is not permitted at the site because of the dangers of power and sail boats, however if there are any triathlon or open water swimming clubs keen to use the site then we would welcome contact from them so that activities can be built into the programme.
Rhyl Marine Lake is a man-made reservoir situated at the western end of Rhyl (Denbighshire) near the mouth of the Clwyd estuary. It was officially opened in 1895 and was designed to meet the recreational needs of the local community.
It is managed by Denbighshire County Council and is used for a range of water sports and recreational activities including water skiing and sailing. At the centre of the lake there is an island which has been noted as a significant roosting site for wild birds
In addition, Rhyl’s miniature railway has been chugging around the lake since 1911 and last year saw an increase in visitor numbers riding the trains
Denbighshire County Council will continue to maximise opportunities to develop the site for further use and activities.
In addition the resident Clubs at the Lake welcome new members to come along and try out the various water sports on offer. These clubs all operate from Marine Lake, and are well experienced in their disciplines, club details are listed below:
Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Kneeboarding, Barefooting
· Ocean Beach Water Ski Club – 07710 545 875
· Rhyl Water Ski Club – 07851 954 770 – [email protected]
Sailing
· Rhyl Sea Cadets – 01745 353115 – [email protected]
· Rhyl Yacht Club – 01829 751 757 – [email protected]
