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During the Covid pandemic, a site known as the “blue lagoon” in Margam, Neath Port Talbot, became a viral sensation on TikTok, attracting thousands of visitors. The location, Brombil Reservoir, is a striking 30-metre-deep (100ft) body of water famed for its vivid turquoise hue. However, the influx of visitors caused significant issues such as traffic congestion and littering in the area. Visitors to the reservoir must navigate a steep 900-metre (2,953ft) public footpath to reach the site, which remains the only access route.
Leisure Estate Investments Ltd, the company that purchased Brombil Reservoir at auction in 2024 for £20,000, has imposed a temporary £2 fee per visit as a deterrent to manage unauthorized access. Barriers have been installed on the dam face to prevent people from walking on it, but these have repeatedly been removed by trespassers. The company expressed serious concerns over swimming, paddleboarding, environmental damage, and vandalism at the site. They emphasized the inherent safety risks associated with public access without appropriate management measures in place.
Brombil Reservoir is a flooded 19th-century colliery, originally serving as a water supply for Port Talbot Docks. Today, it plays a crucial role in protecting nearby residential areas from flooding and supports a unique aquatic ecosystem. Unfortunately, the site has suffered environmental harm due to fly-tipping and littering. Since going viral on TikTok with over a million views, local residents have reported ongoing disturbances caused by increased visitor numbers. In response to vandalism and the destruction of infrastructure such as security gates on deep-water chambers, the fee was introduced not as a commercial charge but to help fund cleanup efforts and discourage unauthorized visitors.
Since acquiring the site, Brombil Reservoir Ltd has invested in various essential maintenance activities, including structural surveys, engineering assessments, landscaping, and waste removal. The company highlighted rising compliance costs tied to regulations enforced by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) under the Reservoirs Act 1975, which requires owners to maintain reservoirs safely and reduce flood risks to downstream communities. Matthew O’Brien from NRW’s reservoir safety group affirmed the responsibility owners have in this regard and noted that annual fees help cover regulatory costs. Despite repeated requests for assistance from Neath Port Talbot council and local politicians, the company has received no financial support. The reservoir owners warned that without public sector cooperation, they may be forced to decommission the reservoir, which would remove a vital flood defense and destroy an important ecological habitat. The local council responded by stating it has offered advice but emphasized that operation and investment decisions rest with the private owner, while expressing openness to future constructive dialogue aimed at managing visitor impact responsibly
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