A string of norovirus outbreaks last year have been tied to individuals swimming in a well-liked bay in Wales.
The water quality in Cardiff Bay was so poor that an inflatable obstacle course floating in the water had to be relocated after concerns were raised by the Cardiff Council scrutiny committee on September 11. The freshwater lake, nourished by the River Ely and River Taff, has been impacted by sewage discharges in recent times.
Councilor John Lancaster criticized council officers for failing to address the issue, stating that collaboration with entities like NRW (Natural Resources Wales) and Welsh Water is essential.
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 the committee meeting, four out of the six sites assessed for water quality in the bay by the Cardiff Harbour Authority (CHA) showed poor cleanliness ratings. Cllr Lancaster expressed disappointment, highlighting the adverse impact on Cardiff residents and businesses.
A Public Health Wales-led incident management team determined norovirus to be the cause of a series of illnesses in the summer of 2024. Cardiff Council indicated that sewage-related sources likely introduced norovirus into the environment. The CHA used to test for viruses like norovirus but discontinued due to long periods of no detection.
Cllr Jennifer Burke, Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for culture, sports, and parks, refuted Cllr Lancaster’s accusations, citing collaborative efforts with Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales. She emphasized that while local actions have an impact, limitations exist in addressing upstream issues.
Aqa Park, the inflatable obstacle course forced to leave Cardiff Bay due to contaminated water, attracted numerous visitors annually since its 2022 opening. Vale of Glamorgan Council disclosed the closure in March.
During that time, a CHA spokesperson noted that increased rainfall and river flows led to more failed water quality tests, asserting no control over the water entering the Bay.