A local splash park is considering measures to ensure it can avoid 'bacterial issues' and stay open longer. 

Maldon Splash Park, which is based in the town's Promenade Park, is a popular attraction – but last year faced delays in opening due to a "very high bacterial content."

Councillors raised concerns about technology to prevent further bacterial issues during a meeting of Maldon Council's strategy and resources committee on March 13.  The council is also looking to extend the opening hours of the attraction. 

The splash park is run by Places Leisure, which also runs Blackwater Leisure Centre on Park Drive.

The meeting heard that UV filters could be used to avoid the problem happening again. 

Committee chairman and Tory councillor Mark Durham said: "I remember when we were talking about this we were talking about UV filters have we got those installed? UV filtration is not hugely expensive, it totally solves the bacterial issue. I am a bit surprised."

A council officer told the committee: "To mitigate the bacterial content we had we're going to be commissioning the splash park in April this year ready for May, so even if we do have an incident where we have a very high bacterial or unusual water testing responses then it will give us sufficient time to make sure we are opening in plenty of time.

"As with the leisure centres, board and working groups there will always be opportunities for members to feed in and we want to make sure that dialogue stays open particularly as we're in a longterm contract with Places Leisure and we want to the opportunity to feed in and make it work with officers and members.

"We dont have the filters installed at the moment, but there is significant investment going on that will be happening in the splash park in the down season in 2025, there will be green infrastructure investment, that will hopefully mean it runs carbon neutral or energy efficient. 

"There is other significant investment going on over the 20 year contract."

The meeting was also given an update on the performance of the attraction last year, which after a "slow start" was "quite profitable" during the hot weather. 

Wendy Stamp, District Support Group councillor for Burnham-on-Crouch North, said: "Can we be assured we will be speaking with Places Leisure and, we will be setting the times it's opened and not the firm, because sometimes there are private schools and children who dont go back to school as early as state schools do. 

"You also get the preschool children so I think sometimes a little bit more flexibility for opening hours could serve residents."

Kevin Lagan, Independent councillor for Maldon South, said: "I think we need longer opening hours and an extra hour open gives an opportunity with very little cost. 

"In June and September, there is an opportunity to open for part of one day for the smaller children, who dont want to be smashed to pieces by the bigger kids. It would bring a bit of revenue in but also support residents and visitors."