A top up of a substance called Phoslock has been added to the water at the park in East Kilbride. This reduces phosphorus, which is the main nutrient for the growth of blue green algae.

Blue green algae in the loch is caused by elevated levels of phosphorus in the water which releases in the form of cyanobacterial blooms under certain climatic conditions, usually during spring and summer.  These blooms are relatively common in water courses across South Lanarkshire and James Hamilton Heritage loch has been affected by blue green algae in recent years.

South Lanarkshire Council has been working with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Ltd (SLLC), who operate the park on the council’s behalf, as well as with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to deal with the matter over a number of years.

Executive Director of Community and Enterprise Resources, David Booth, said: “Various solutions to control the blue green algae at James Hamilton Heritage Park have been investigated and it is apparent this solution is the most effective.

“The product is highly specialised, has been used at other sites across the UK and been very effective. It has also been used previously at the park and this is essentially us topping up the levels found in the water.

“It is completely harmless to humans, pets and wildlife.”