Warning over taking a dip during hot spell

With temperatures set to rise, people are being warned not to be tempted to take a dip in reservoirs or docks in the area.

While water can look inviting on hot days, people are being warned that they can also be working areas and would-be swimmers could be putting themselves at risk by diving in.

Bristol Water said underwater pumps at Blagdon, Cheddar and Chew Valley Lake reservoirs can start suddenly and create powerful currents that swimmers might not see.

The city council said that people need to remember that Bristol harbour is a working harbour and have called for people to be responsible.

Safety organisation RoSPA said that there is a link between hot weather and an increase in accidental drowning deaths.

People have died after drowning incidents in Cheddar Reservoir and after falling into Bristol harbour in the past.

Bristol Water spokesman Jeremy Williams said: "The reservoirs look very inviting in this sort of weather, but swimming in them is highly dangerous.

"Underwater pumps can suddenly start without warning, creating powerful currents, or there may be submerged obstructions which swimmers cannot see.

"Also, with the reservoirs at high levels, people will quickly find themselves out of their depth."

Chew Valley Lake is 14ft deep on average and 37ft deep at its deepest point.

"Despite our regular warnings, this happens every time the weather heats up," added Mr Williams.

"We are especially concerned when we find groups of youths trying to swim in the reservoirs, or dive off structures, when they have clearly been drinking.

"The sheer irresponsibility of these people is staggering."

Swimming is not allowed in any of the Bristol Water reservoirs, for health and safety and security reasons.

Bristol City Council spokeswoman Helen Hewitt said: "The harbour is a wonderful part of the city enjoyed by hundreds of visitors, but it is a working harbour and we ask everyone visiting to be responsible at all times.

"It is a working area and not a place to have a swim. We have swimming pools and we advise people to use them. The docks are a working harbour with sailing craft. "

She said that most people do not realise the harbour water is 6ft deep.

As well as the council-run swimming pools, Portishead Open Air Pool reopened last weekend and Clifton Lido reopened in December.

Peter Cornall, RoSPA head of leisure safety, said: "RoSPA promotes the idea that life should be as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible. We want people to get out and about, including to enjoy the water.

"But as people turn their attention to swimming or simply cooling off in the water, we encourage them to think through the risks first and to make sure they know what to do if someone gets into difficulty. That way, they can make informed decisions about the locations in which they choose to swim.

"Each year, there are more accidental drowning deaths in inland waters than in any other type of water and people need to understand the hazards they might encounter in these locations."