Southwater Country Park beach shut after ‘people fall ill after swimming’

A paddling beach at Southwater Country Park in West Sussex is being closed as a precautionary measure after multiple people reportedly fell ill following water contact at the lake, with the exact cause of the illnesses not yet known and investigations ongoing

A paddling beach at a West Sussex lake has been shut down after online reports emerged that several people have become unwell following contact with its waters.

According to accounts, a “number of individuals have experienced illness, potentially as a result of entering the water at the paddling beach at Southwater Country Park”.

Horsham District Council confirmed to the BBC it was aware of the situation, though it hadn’t received any formal notifications from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) or regular lake users.

The UKHSA confirmed it had been “in touch with Horsham District Council to see if they can help establish what the source of the infection is”.

The local authority has since shut the beach while it monitors developments.

It informed the broadcaster: “We will release further information if the situation changes. Please do not climb the fence or attempt to enter the water at this time.”

Horsham District councillor Alexander Jeffery confirmed that the precise cause of the illnesses remains unknown, and encouraged anyone experiencing symptoms after water contact to get in touch with him directly, reports the Express.

He posted on Facebook: “I understand this will be concerning for many residents and families. I will continue to press for answers”.

The lake at Southwater Country Park is “not a bathing water so is not regularly tested for bacteria”, according to the Environment Agency.

They noted: “There are more than 450 sites across the country where regular testing is carried out”.

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