Water Park Relocates After Cardiff Bay Quality Concerns

A popular summer water park is set to relocate from Cardiff Bay to Cosmeston Lake in Penarth following ongoing water quality issues. 💦

Aqua Park, which has operated in the Welsh capital since 2019, told Cardiff Council that heavy rainfall had left them “unable to operate” consistently at their previous location.

Speaking at a Vale of Glamorgan Council environment and regeneration scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, Marcus Goldsworthy, Director of Place, explained: “Essentially every time there was heavy rain, the water quality was so bad that they were unable to operate so they basically just couldn’t carry on functioning in a financially viable way in Cardiff Bay.”

The attraction, featuring an inflatable assault course with slides and climbing frames, will run a pilot programme at Cosmeston Lake between May and September, with an agreement expected to be signed next month.

Mr Goldsworthy added that the move presented “an opportunity to generate new income for improving facilities at Cosmeston.”

A Cardiff Harbour Authority spokesperson defended their water management practices, stating: “Water quality in Cardiff Bay is routinely tested and managed in line with EU bathing water standards. Maintaining public health is our top priority and if water quality fails to reach the necessary standards then steps are taken to protect Bay users.”

They noted that increased rainfall and higher river flows in recent summers had resulted in more failed tests, adding: “Cardiff Harbour Authority has no control over the quality of the water that flows into the Bay and as has been well publicised recently, water quality is an issue in rivers, lakes and other fresh water bodies across the UK.”

Vale of Glamorgan Council will evaluate the pilot before deciding whether to tender for a permanent attraction at Cosmeston next year. 🏊‍♂️