Swimmers are being warned that water levels in Walpole Bay tidal pool remain lower than usual due to awaiting repairs.
The pool was drained on Tuesday (January 13) so an issue with the sluice could be examined. It is understood a faulty valve was found but neap tides made full access difficult.
Thanet council has instead reopened the pool until repairs can take place next week.
However, the water level will remain low until the valve has been fixed.
A Thanet council spokesperson said: “Walpole Bay Tidal Pool reopened yesterday, Wednesday 14 January, following a temporary closure for essential work.
“The pool is open for use, but swimmers are advised that the water level is lower than usual. People should be cautious when using the pool, as the depth of the water varies.
“The lower water level is temporary until repairs can be completed next week (w/c Monday 19 January), dependent on tides.
“We anticipate closing the pool from 2pm on Tuesday 20 January. This is to allow the pool to be drained for further repairs, due to start on Wednesday 21 January.”
Concerns have been raised by some swimmers that there are also other leaks in the concrete structure that need maintenance.
Cliftonville East ward councillor Barry Manners says he hopes a more extensive maintenance programme can be agreed.
He said: “Swimmers using the pool say they are increasingly concerned about the loss of water with levels much lower than usual.
“The pool is 100 years old and has been battered by the sea so anything we can do to extend its life needs to be looked at.”
Cllr Manners says he believes it would “cost millions” not replace the structure and so preventative maintenance would be a good investment.
He added: “It is a fantastic local amenity and we will soon have the new café and facilities built there so it will become increasingly important for Thanet’s tourism and we need to do everything possible to protect it.”
Walpole Bay Tidal Pool is listed at Grade II by Historic England.
The pool was officially declared open at 3.30pm, June 25, 1937. It is one of two tidal pools constructed in Margate at the same date, the other nearby at Marine Terrace, on Margate Main Sands.
The pool is four acres in size and is bigger than the two largest listed seawater lidos, Penzance and Lymington. It is 137m long and 2.13m deep at the seaward end.
It was constructed to make it possible for large numbers of people to bathe in the sea at all states of the tides because the beaches at Margate and Cliftonville sloped gradually, and there was a considerable tidal range so that the low water mark could be as far as 300 yards from the promenade.
