Around 1,000 Litres Of Water A Day To Be Added To Big Mead Pond

Around 1,000 litres of water a day will be added to Big Mead Pond in Shanklin by the Isle of Wight Council to stop its further water loss.

The water will be added incrementally to prevent water chemicals harming the pond’s ecosystem, Shanklin South Conservative county councillor Chris Quirk told the press yesterday (August 7).

County Hall said it ‘remains committed to maintaining the health of Big Mead Pond and the ecosystem it supports’.

A spokesperson said it will continue to be ‘monitored closely’ with updates provided in the future.

They said:

“The Isle of Wight Council would like to reassure residents that Big Mead Pond continues to be actively managed and monitored.

“A recent inspection by our team confirmed that the fish remain healthy and the water level, while lower than usual due to the prolonged dry weather, is not currently at a critical level.”

Cllr Quirk said:

“There is no lack of commitment from the Isle of Wight Council officers and local members, nor the Shanklin Town Council members and officers, to ensure the long-term viability of the Big Mead Pond.

“The previous deputy mayor (Cllr Adrian Whittaker) has been the lead town council member on work over the last two years involving collaboration between the town council and the Isle of Wight Council to repair the retaining walls and bridge and other necessary work on the pond, and his ongoing efforts in that regard are appreciated.

“His resignation (of the deputy mayor post) probably relates to his frustration that mitigation plans by the Isle of Wight Council have only now been published, although discussions were underway before that.”

Cllr Whittaker said:

“I welcome the good news from the Isle of Wight Council that they will top up the Big Mead Pond by 1,000 litres a day.

“Over the last three weeks I have been making enquiries and looking for solutions on how to get water into the Mead. I made initial enquiries to the local authority, who told me there was no budget for any additional water.

“Personally, I do not think the amount of water that has been authorised is sufficient, but it may just hold the line. I will be monitoring it still over the coming days and weeks.”

He went on to thank council officers for the time they have spent on the matter and ward county councillor Chris Quirk.