By Donal McMahon
A Co Armagh lake set for major leisure investment has been closed to the public over blue green algae blooms ahead of an annual water festival.
Camlough lake has been earmarked for a £4.6million water sport facility with builders awarded a contract to develop site earlier this year.
However, recent heatwave conditions have brought about toxic blooms in the water with a call for an investigation into the cause.
Slieve Gullion Sinn Fein councillor Declan Murphy said: “As we’ve gone through a heatwave it has brought out any issues that there may be in the water to light and we have now seen blue green algae blooms in Camlough lake.
“We do have the Camlough water festival coming up in September with people coming from all over and I would think that it would be resolved by then.
“In all my years living in the area, I have never known its presence to be reported at the lake.”
Blue-Green algae continues to be a problem in waterways across NI with 77 reports this year at more than 35 locations.
Huge amounts of the algae in Lough Neagh made world headline in recent years with the environmental impact making a regular recurrence since 2023.
A high level of nutrients in the water, phosphorus and nitrogen bring about the blooms with the source coming mainly from agriculture and waste-water treatment, as well as septic tanks, industry and households.
Councillor Murphy, the chairperson of Camlough Community Association added: “Members of the public need to be aware that it is not safe to be in the water at this time as swallowing the water could make you sick.
“If we had the recreational hub already up and running this type of problem could have closed down the leisure product as it relies on the lake.
“What I would like to see is further investigation into how we ended up with it in the first place in Camlough, it would be good to try and get to the source of the problem and deal with it.
“Otherwise you’ll be going on from year to year on a wing and a prayer, so it is a concern.”
When completed, the water hub at Camlough lake will enhance facilities for existing users, support outdoor sport and recreation, boost tourism within the Ring of Gullion AONB and deliver accessible, year-round community space.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted the local authority.
A council spokesperson said: “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was notified by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) on Monday 13 July of the presence of blue-green algae at Camlough Lake.
“Warning signage was erected immediately to advise the public of the presence of the algae and the associated health risks.
“In line with the Inter-Agency Blue-Green Algae Monitoring Protocol (January 2026), the council has commenced regular visual monitoring of the lake and is making arrangements for toxin testing.
“The situation will continue to be monitored closely, with all actions taken in accordance with the Protocol.”
The spokesperson added:”While Camlough lake is not a designated bathing water, the council has responsibilities under the protocol to provide public health advice and to consider the safety of recreational water users and those accessing the lakeside environment.
“Warning signage will remain in place until the criteria set out in the protocol have been met, including four consecutive weekly non-bloom observations and two water samples returning results below the relevant public health guidance limit.
“We recognise the impact this may have on those who use Camlough lake, however public safety remains our overriding priority.
“The council will remove the warning signage as soon as it is safe to do so and the protocol requirements have been satisfied.”
ENDS
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