Sightseers must now pay a £2 fee online before visiting the blue lagoon.
Owners of a scenic reservoir that went viral on TikTok during the pandemic have warned visitors not to enter the site, particularly during the current hot weather. After a record-breaking June for high temperatures, the hot weather has continued in Wales throughout July.
Brombil Reservoir in Margam, Neath Port Talbot, attracted thousands of visitors after going viral on TikTok, which caused traffic problems and littering in the area. The secluded beauty spot sold at auction for £20,000 in September 2024 to Leisure Estate Investments Ltd, which has discouraged public access because of "inherent safety risks".
The company is particularly concerned about people swimming, paddleboarding, littering and damaging structures around the reservoir, described as a "blue lagoon". In an effort to manage unauthorised visits and help fund clean-up operations, it introduced a £2 charge as "a temporary deterrent".
Anyone who refuses to pay could face a £100 penalty or legal action, while those caught littering could be fined £1,000. Although the reservoir can be accessed via public footpaths, the owners installed barriers to prevent people from walking on the dam face, but these have been removed by trespassers.
"We have strictly banned [people] from going there and walking on the face of the dam.
"Our long-term vision has always been to build a sustainable public-private framework so the community can safely enjoy this asset.
"However, managing a critical piece of infrastructure presents immense structural, environmental, and financial challenges that cannot be indefinitely sustained by a private entity alone."
The reservoir has stunning blue waters and is surrounded by a hillside forest. The reservoir is a flooded 19th Century colliery that was repurposed to supply water to Port Talbot Docks, and is now famous for its striking turquoise colour.
It plays a vital role in flood protection, helping shield downstream residential areas, and has a "unique aquatic ecosystem" that has faced "severe environmental degradation caused by fly-tipping and littering", Brombil Reservoir Ltd said.
After the landmark went viral on a TikTok video with more than one million views, nearby residents claimed they had been "suffering" because of the traffic and litter problems. To reach the 30m-deep (100ft) reservoir, visitors must walk up a steep 900m (2,953ft) public footpath, which is also the only way down.
In an effort to combat vandalism, including the destruction of iron security gates on deep-water chambers and persistent littering, the company introduced the £2 charge.
"manage unauthorised access and fund clean-up operations. It is not a commercial ticket"
The company said it was to "manage unauthorised access and fund clean-up operations. It is not a commercial ticket". The company added its goal was to safely open the site for public use, saying it recognised the benefits of "blue spaces" for health and well-being.
Due it its secluded location up a steep hill, some visitors choose to dump their rubbish at the reservoir, rather than carry it back down with them. Since taking ownership in 2024, Brombil Reservoir Ltd said it had invested in structural surveys, engineering assessments, landscaping and waste clearance.
It added that compliance requirements from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for high-risk dams had increased significantly, requiring tens of thousands of pounds in ongoing safety investment.
Matthew O'Brien of NRW's reservoir safety group said the Reservoirs Act 1975, meant owners were responsible "for ensuring their reservoirs are properly maintained and managed".
He added that these rules were designed "to ensure that reservoirs are managed safely and help reduce the risk of flooding to people and property downstream".
Owners of regulated reservoirs pay an annual fee of £276 towards NRW's regulatory costs, external.
The company said it had repeatedly sought support from Neath Port Talbot council and local politicians to help fund and preserve the reservoir, but had received no response.
It added: "We genuinely want to work constructively with Neath Port Talbot council, NRW, and our political representatives to deliver a safe, biodiverse, and secure site."
Brombil Reservoir Ltd warned that without public sector support or a partnership agreement, it could be forced to "decommission the reservoir".
"This would unfortunately eliminate the area's primary flood defence and destroy a vital ecological habitat.
"We sincerely hope local authorities will join us at the table to find a sustainable, shared way forward."
The council said it had"offered advice where appropriate" to the reservoir owners.
"As the site is privately owned, decisions regarding its operation and investment are a matter for the owner," it added.
"Any future arrangements should ensure that visitor activity is managed responsibly and does not place undue pressure on local communities.
"We remain open to constructive dialogue with the owner."
