A surge of norovirus cases last year has been associated with individuals swimming in a popular bay in Wales.
The water quality in Cardiff Bay was deemed so poor that an inflatable obstacle course floating in the water was relocated after concerns were raised by the Cardiff Council scrutiny committee on September 11. The freshwater lake, fed by the River Ely and River Taff, has faced issues with sewage discharge in recent times.
Councilor John Lancaster criticized council officers for not taking action, stating that collaboration with organizations like NRW (Natural Resources Wales) and Welsh Water is necessary to address the problem.
Norovirus, a stomach bug causing vomiting and diarrhea, easily spreads through human waste. According to the NHS, it typically resolves within about two days.
During a committee meeting, four out of the six sites tested for water quality in the bay by the Cardiff Harbour Authority (CHA) failed to meet cleanliness standards. Cllr Lancaster expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.
Concerns were raised about the negative impact of poor water quality on the residents of Cardiff and local businesses, urging authorities to take action instead of attributing the issue solely to upstream sources.
An incident management team chaired by Public Health Wales identified norovirus as the cause of illnesses in the summer of 2024. The Cardiff Council suggested that sewage contamination might be the source of the virus in the environment. CHA used to test for viruses like norovirus but discontinued after no detections for several years.
Cllr Jennifer Burke, Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for culture, sports, and parks, defended the council’s efforts, stating that they are collaborating with Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales to address the situation within existing legislation.
The inflatable obstacle course Aqa Park, which attracted numerous visitors annually since its opening in 2022, had to vacate Cardiff Bay due to contaminated water, as announced by Vale of Glamorgan Council in March.
A CHA spokesperson attributed the increase in failed water quality tests to higher river flows caused by increased rainfall, emphasizing that they have no control over the water quality entering the bay.