A clean-up operation to rid a set of Dundee ponds of their weed and algae problem will be launched this month.
For years, red scum has plagued Swannie Ponds at Stobsmuir Park due to stagnant water, bird waste and visitors throwing in bread to feed the swans.
Over the next week, a hovercraft device will be used to cut the weeds, which will be left in piles by the side of both ponds for seven to 10 days to allow insects to return to the water.
Aeration plates will then be installed in the ponds to fix the red scum problem.
Maryfield councillor Lynne Short said: “I did some investigating when I first became a councillor and it turned out that, years ago, Swannie Ponds was fed from a Scottish Water reservoir near the tram museum.
“Then some of the land was sold to the Museum of Transport and another part was going to be sold to people who were going to build retirement homes.
“Once the reservoir was taken away, the water became stagnant. This has caused an issue with weeds and red scum. The aeration plates will allow the water to churn, which will hopefully stop the scum from forming.
“It is excellent news that something is being done, which will not only improve the pond, but won’t affect the eco-system.”
Ms Short added that to help prevent more problems in future, visitors should not throw bread into the water as it is bad for the birds and encourages bacteria growth.
The Friends of Swannie Ponds group is now considering putting up signage to discourage the practice.
The group’s chairman Alan Maich also reassured local residents that despite its ungliness, the red scum isn’t dangerous.
He said: “The only toxic algae is the blue green algae. The red scum is unsightly and is due to the build-up of bacteria in the pond as it’s a stank at present.”
Stobsmuir Park will be further spruced up by having its entrance beside Pitkerro Road re-designed.
The path parallel to Stobsmuir Road will also be moved to the flat grass area from the entrance to the north pond and some of the shrubs will be replaced.
This work is due to start in October and will finish around January.
Dundee City Council Spokesperson said: “We are carrying out repair works, including the removal of weeds at Stobsmuir Ponds.
“This is part of maintenance works and will improve the environmental, physical and visual aspects of the pond areas.”
