Remember the dangers of swimming in reservoirs as warm temperatures set to return

We spoke to our Head of Visitor Attraction Operations, Mark Davies to hear about what we’re doing as a company to help keep people safe this summer.

"Every year, large numbers of individuals and families visit our reservoirs and are taking to the water to swim, paddle, or use inflatables, putting their lives and the lives of others at risk.

From the surface, our reservoirs look beautiful. But hidden dangers lurk beneath the surface and unauthorised swimming can be deadly.

Our reservoirs are full of hidden dangers, including hidden automatic machinery that can operate at any time, and incredibly strong currents, meaning even the strongest swimmers can be pulled under. The water also has freezing temperatures which can send swimmers into cold-water shock and there is a reduced chance of rescue in some areas due to the remote location of many reservoirs, and often with little or no mobile reception.

Our rangers work hard to patrol the reservoirs in the interest of public safety, and you’ll see more of us out during the summer months – but we can’t be everywhere at once. We’re not here to spoil your fun – we’re here to keep you safe.

We know that enjoying the water safely can provide immense benefits for mental and physical wellbeing and so we’ve been working hard to provide ways for people to reconnect with water safely."

Following a successful pilot in 2020, organised open water swimming activities are now being rolled out across a small number of reservoir sites which have visitor centres and where it is considered safe and appropriate to swim. These open water swimming sessions are controlled and supervised, with qualified RLSS open water lifeguards.

Welsh Water run its ‘Beautiful but Deadly’ safety campaign urging people in Wales to educate themselves about the dangers hidden below the beautiful surface of some of Wales’s beauty spots. If an individual comes into trouble in the water, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) encourage everyone to take personal responsibility for their own and family’s safety by remembering these lifesaving tips:

• If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live.
• Lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float, then get control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.
• If you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112. If you are at a reservoir, river, canal or other inland location ask for the Fire and Rescue Service. If you are at the coast, ask for the Coastguard.

Drowning Prevention Week is the national campaign run by the Royal Life Saving Society UK to cut down the number of drownings that occur each year. Drowning Prevention Week takes place 18-25 June.

To book an open water swimming session, visit:

• Llandegfedd: https://llandegfedd.co.uk/open-water-swimming/
• Llys-y-Frân: https://llys-y-fran.co.uk/things-to-do/