First the Olympic diving pool, now Sandwell! Generator theft turns water green with algae
Dog owners have been warned not to let their pets into the water at a popular pool after the theft of a generator sparked an algae outbreak.
Signs have gone up around the Swan Pool at Sandwell Valley Country Park as the blue green-algae is potentially harmful to dogs.
Sandwell Council's leisure boss Councillor Richard Marshall said the bacteria had built up after a generator which keeps the water moving was stolen.
He said: "Someone has broken in and stolen a generator which moves the water around. With the water not moving and high temperatures it doesn't take long. Once the water stays still it starts to build up.
"We're looking at getting a solar-powered pump."
Councillor Marshall said the pool would be cleared as soon as possible and that notices had been put up around the park to warn dog owners.
He said: "We want to let people know. We have got signs in the car park so as soon as they pull up they can see.
"If they want to walk their dogs they know what's happening. The last thing we want is someone walking up to the pool and their dog bounding into the water."
It comes after a similar algae outbreak forced the closure of Wolverhampton's Tettenhall Pool on the hottest day of the year in July.
The pool was sealed off while the water was treated with chemicals to kill off the bacteria.
