A number of residents have contacted me lately regarding the state of Sanderstead pond so I thought it might be useful to share the response which I recently received from the Council. I am enclosing it here in full and hope that this will be of interest.
From: Weiser, Meike
Sent: 10 November 2021 09:32
To: Hale, Lynne
Subject: RE: Cllr Hale - Sanderstead pond.
Dear Cllr Hale,
We equally have received a number of emails regarding the pond. TCV ( The Conservation Volunteers) and I have been to the pond last week to assess the pond and I would be grateful if you can share with your residents that the floating duck weed is not harmful to wildlife. Ducks still find their food and if they decide the place is not suitable any more will fly to a different pond. Duckweed thrives in stagnant water, but will die down during the winter.
Duckweed can be managed by introducing oxygen and movement to the water, but this would require a financial input, or by netting it off on a regular basis by hand. Beulah Pond in Upper Norwood is suffering from the same weed and a volunteer managed to keep it under control by netting it once a week.
The council at present is unable to provide such a service and as the weed is not a hazard, only unsightly, it is unfortunately not a priority at present.
We are happy to support volunteers should there be a resident that is willing to assist.
Kind regards
Meike Weiser
Community Conservation Partnership Officer
Active Lifestyles
Bernard Weatherill House, 6th Floor, Zone A8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA
