The warning was made after the find of blue green algae at
The relative risk to public health at the spot off Fulbridge Road, in Werrington, Peterborough is said to be minor as the water is not used for fishing or recreational water activities where contact is likely.
However, people who swallow or swim through the algal scum could experience skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints.
But in contrast to humans, animals should be kept well away from the water, as if they eat or swallow large quantities of algae, the toxic species could kill them.
Spokeswoman for the Environment Agency Rita Penman said they responded to information from the city council that there was algae in Cuckoo's Hollow, and took a sample, which showed that there were signs of blue green algae in the water.
She said: "We informed the city council, whose responsibility it is to then warn people about the algae, and they have erected signs.
"It then also has a duty to regularly test the water, samples of which it then sends us for analysis, and this is happening."
Cuckoo's Hollow has been a popular recreation spot since it was built in the '70s by the Peterborough Development Corporation.
Members of the Cuckoo's Hollow Action Team work tirelessly to keep the beauty spot looking its best, leading regular litter picks and tidying operations.
Peterborough City Council's recreation manager Louise Wilcox added: "Clearly, a combination of water temperature and certain weather conditions have resulted in the blue-green algae growth at Cuckoo's Hollow and visitors to the site need to be aware of the potential dangers.
"We are in the process of erecting warning signs around the water's edge, and would ask people to be especially wary of allowing their pets to come into contact with the water."
The city council will carry out weekly inspections to monitor algae levels, and water samples will be taken monthly, for the duration of the summer season, to monitor algal growth. These will be submitted to Environment Agency laboratories in Spalding for analysis.
The Environment Agency is carrying out studies to learn more about the causes and effects of such algae blooms, and is seeking to devise a means of reducing their occurrence and alleviating their impact on the UK's waterways.
The full article contains 439 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
