Sutton Council has launched an investigation after Carshalton Ponds were found drained overnight, an incident that follows a series of leaks at the site over recent months. The council confirmed its team is examining the cause of the sudden drainage and is closely monitoring the area to safeguard local wildlife.
The incident occurred just three months after the council intentionally drained the upper pond to carry out repairs on a leak near Honeywood Museum. Two months ago, officials warned that water levels could drop "quite significantly" as further issues emerged during the repair work.
Council statement on sudden drainage
In a statement released on Saturday, October 17, Sutton Council said: "We are aware that Carshalton Ponds drained overnight and our team is currently investigating the cause." The statement emphasized the importance of protecting the ponds and their wildlife, adding: "Protecting the ponds and local wildlife is a key priority, and we are monitoring the site closely to keep any disruption to a minimum."
The council also thanked the community for its continued support and promised to share further updates as soon as possible. The cause of this latest drainage has not yet been identified.
Previous leaks and repair efforts
In August, while working on repairs at the beauty spot, the council said teams had identified "more issues", with the ponds continuing to "lose water". SES Water had previously been topping up the ponds while leaks were addressed, but the council stated over the summer that this was no longer possible due to increased drought restrictions.
The repeated problems at Carshalton Ponds highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining the site's water levels, particularly under current environmental conditions. The council's investigation aims to determine the cause of the overnight drainage and prevent further disruption to the local ecosystem.
Monitoring and next steps
Sutton Council is continuing to monitor the site closely and has not yet announced a timeline for repairs or a full resolution. The priority remains minimizing harm to wildlife and ensuring the ponds can be restored to a healthy state. Further updates are expected from the council as the investigation progresses.
