THE COUNCIL'S Harbour team have recovered more than 150kg of waste from Rhyl's Marine Lake.
Marine Lake has been partially drained by the council as it undergoes annual revetment inspections and general site maintenance.
This partial drain will allow access to the revetments and the clearance of larger items from around the edges, whilst ensuring that there is sufficient water retained for the swans to safely remain on the lake.
But there are concerns about the effect on wildlife, including that swans at the lake were “paddling in mud”.
Now, the authority's Harbour team have revealed the alarming level of waste that was recovered over a period of two days from the lake and lake bed.
More than 150kg, or close to a sixth of a tonne, of discarded rubbish was retrieved, with images showing enough litter to fill several trolleys.
The Marine Lake team said: "A special acknowledgement to the Harbour Office team, who over a period of two days have retrieved, from the lake and bed, in excess of 150kg of litter and rubbish discarded by people.
"That's around one sixth of a tonne. They also pressure washed (no detergent!) the slipway, to reduce the risk of slipping there.
"Includes shopping trolleys, glass bottles, drinks cans, disposable coffee cups (that all could have been returned or recycled).
"And sadly, hundreds of discarded fishing nets, full of plastic netting, that would eventually have broken up into small pieces, ready to be innocently gobbled up by the lake's wildlife.
"Let's not forget that this amazing annual clean up would not be possible without dropping the lake level.
"And it could be very strongly argued that discarded nets and plastic micro beads are the biggest danger to all of the lake's wildlife."
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