20:26, 16 Jul 2026<\/p>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_paddling3.jpg\")
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There were reports of children falling sick after visiting the paddling pool. <\/p>\n
A County Down<\/a> paddling pool has been drained, scrubbed and replenished following multiple reports of youngsters becoming unwell after using the water.<\/p>\n Images circulating on social media displayed the Lemons Wharf paddling pool in Donaghadee Co. Down brimming with vivid green water before Ards and North Down Borough Council brought in contractors to address the issue.<\/p>\n Local residents expressed worries that the water had become contaminated with blue-green algae, yet neither the council nor the Northern Ireland<\/a> Environment Agency (NIEA) carried out testing on the pool water for the bacteria.<\/p>\n James Cochrane, DUP councillor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, provided an update on social media on Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n He said: “I asked both Council and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to confirm whether blue-green algae had been present. They advised that, rather than waiting around two days to organise testing and receive the results, both organisations agreed it was more appropriate, from a public health perspective, to apply the precautionary principle by emptying, cleaning and refilling the paddling pool immediately.”, reports Belfast Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I did raise with both Council and NIEA that, given the public concern surrounding the potential presence of blue-green algae, temporary signage advising people not to use the facility while the situation was being assessed would have been beneficial.”<\/p>\n Images have been circulating on social media. (Image: James Cochrane)<\/p>\n Local residents expressed worries. <\/p>\n James added: “If anyone who has recently used the paddling pool feels unwell or develops symptoms they are concerned about, I would encourage them to seek appropriate medical advice.<\/p>\n “A number of people also asked about water circulation. Council has advised me that: ‘The pool is fed from mains water and so it will be emptied, cleaned and refilled more frequently in the current warm weather to keep the pool water fresh. This is the process from controlling any discolouration or contamination, litter removal etc. We will review if any other engineering improvements are necessary in the longer term.”<\/p>\n Numerous residents have reported that their children became ill after using the pool. One parent revealed: “My son fell ill with vandd [vomiting and diarrhoea] last week after being in it. Water was clear then. He won’t be in it again.<\/p>\n “I had two young children with vomiting after being in this last week,” another concerned parent posted. A third stated: “Two of my daughters fell very ill after swimming here last week! !”.<\/p>\n Another worried grandparent shared: “My wee granddaughter, 7, was playing in it for about half an hour on Wednesday afternoon…the 8th…she had vomiting and diarrhoea from Thursday night until Saturday.”<\/p>\n Blue-green algae, scientifically referred to as cyanobacteria, comprises tiny organisms that occur naturally in waterways and lakes. In particular circumstances, blue-green algae can multiply rapidly in warm, shallow, calm, nutrient-dense surface waters exposed to abundant sunshine.<\/p>\n Contact with elevated concentrations of any blue-green algae blooms – whether through touching contaminated water, ingesting it or breathing in airborne particles – can trigger health problems in both humans and animals.<\/p>\n Symptoms may encompass diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, skin, eye or throat irritation, and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.<\/p>\n A representative for Ards and North Down Borough Council informed Belfast Live: “Ards and North Down Borough Council was made aware on Tuesday afternoon of an issue relating to the paddling pool at Lemons Wharf, Donaghadee.<\/p>\n “Council’s contractors assessed the matter on Tuesday evening and, as a precautionary measure, the pool was immediately closed, drained and cleaned. The pool was subsequently refilled with fresh mains water on Wednesday morning and reopened.<\/p>\n “Council currently operates the Donaghadee paddling pool using fresh mains water. As part of routine procedures, the water is regularly drained, the pool tank is thoroughly cleaned, and the pool is then refilled. As an additional precaution, Council has increased the frequency of this process to twice weekly from this week.<\/p>\n “Council is not in a position to comment on individual medical matters. Anyone with concerns about their health should seek advice from an appropriate medical professional.”<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_paddling2.jpg\")
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