Three councillors have written to a council leader urging him to "act now" and find a solution to save a reservoir.

The Hertsmere Liberal Democrats have written to Councillor Morris Bright, leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, outlining their concerns with the ongoing situation at Aldenham Reservoir.

Reservoir water has been reduced by one metre by the owners Liberty Lake Leisure Limited prompted by a desire from the owners to ease pressure on the dam wall.

Maintaining this wall is costly and Liberty, which bought the reservoir land in 2015, has been knocked back twice in Elstree to generate revenue for the site.

There are also plans to build a two metre fence around the lake which will affect views and prevent people from walking around the whole lake.

Watford Observer:

There have been reports of people and dogs getting stuck in slurry and mud due to water being drained

The Lib Dems have called on Hertsmere Borough Council to work with Liberty to find a commercial solution, to help generate revenue, or return the reservoir to public ownership.

The party has suggested the council should lead the process by seeking a buyer and then acting as honest broker to oversee the deal.

Liberal Democrat councillors have also suggested council could purchase the site and lease it to the not-for-profit group who run Aldenham Country Park, which adjoins the reservoir.

Andrew Melville, Liberal Democrat group leader and councillor for Bushey North, said: "It’s desperately sad to see our beloved reservoir turn into an eyesore - not to mention the real harm it’s doing to wildlife.

"This is a very emotive issue for everyone involved.

"Liberty twice applied for planning permission for developments around the site which would have generated funds to secure the reservoir’s future.

"The only way to end the stalemate is for Hertsmere to show some creativity and leadership, and take the situation by the scruff of its neck.

"This saga has gone on for far too long and now we have a genuine crisis on our hands.

"There is no easy fix, but where there’s a will, there’s a way, and the Sky Studios scheme shows what the council leadership can achieve if they put their minds to it.

"That deal will bring our borough a slice of the future - now we need to apply the same energy and determination to save our reservoir and preserve a slice of the past."

Watford Observer:

Only a matter of months ago, this whole picture would have been filled with water

The actions at the reservoir have had a detrimental effect on both sailing and angling at the lake, with Aldenham Sailing Club ceasing activity.

Liberty say the action to drop the water level is required to ease the pressure on the dam wall at the reservoir - although a Freedom of Information request revealed that an inspector did not think any immediate action was required for the 225-year-old dam wall.

The loss of water has left the reservoir looking totally different to what it was like months ago with a slurry forming around the edge.

Watford Observer:

Land by the dam wall has been cordoned off. This was previously filled with water

Liberty has also announced its intentions to build a two metre fence around the reservoir, on the basis of health and safety grounds.

The owners have admitted this fence will harm the views over the reservoir and prevent walkers from completing a whole circuit of the reservoir, like they can do now.

Liberty has described the reservoir as a "jewel in Hertsmere's crown".