NEW: Indian Lake to Be Closed Friday for Algae Treatment
Thursday, August 20, 2015
The lake will be closed to all uses including boating, fishing, swimming and irrigation. The city is advising all residents that no humans or pets should be in contact with the lake water on Friday.
The lake will remain open on Thursday and is safe for swimming. It will close Friday and is expected to reopen on Saturday.
Recent tests have shown the level of algae increasing in Indian Lake, but not to harmful levels. Friday's algae treatment will allow the lake to remain open going forward after Friday. The copper sulfate treatment used will reduce the algae round in the lake.
The Indian Lake Watershed Association has hired Aquatic Control Technology, a licensed environmental management company with extensive knowledge of Indian Lake, to perform the treatment. The City will contribute towards the treatment, which is conducted pursuant to a permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and an order of conditions issued by the Worcester Conservation Commission.
According to the City of Worcester, growth of these naturally-occurring algae is aided by certain environmental conditions, such as warm weather, sunlight and excess nutrients in the water. Excess levels of nutrients in water bodies can come from human related sources. Phosphorous and nitrogen -- found in lawn starter fertilizers, storm water runoff, wild waste, and agricultural activities – are two key nutrients that aid blue-green algae growth.
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