Phosphorus Pollution in Alabama Lake

Local group planning to observe water quality in Weiss | The Post | Cherokee County, AL

That is the question one group of concerned citizens and stakeholders met to discuss Oct. 2 at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. The group anticipates working as part of a non-regulatory plan to better manage watersheds and improve the quality of water in and around Weiss Lake.

Weiss Lake is already listed for several pollutants on the EPA's dreaded 303-D list, and some residents fear the condition of the reservoir could worsen if Alabama's negotiations with Georgia result in the signing of the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin compact.

"There are things that we all do that contribute to the pollution," said Cherokee County engineer Roger Hall. "And then there are the upstream point-sources that we can do nothing about just yet." Hall is a member of the group who is actively working to educate the public about better water management practices.

Hall said nutrients such as phosphorus, are released from upstream sources and provide a steady food supply for algal plant life growing in Weiss Lake. When a plant begins to decay, it uses a fish's much needed dissolved oxygen, stressing the fish. Most of the thirty attendees at the Oct. 2 meeting agreed continuous monitoring of conditions in the lake could provide vast stores of information. However, funds for such work are scarce.

Becky Kostek works with C II M Hill, a company based in Montgomery which was recently hired to compile data gathered from a number of sources, including the U.S. Geological Survey, the Alabama Water Watch, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), and the citizens of Cherokee County. Kostek also attended the meeting and presented slides explaining how variables such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen levels, nutrients, and fecal coliform can adversely affect the fish, wildlife and the drinking water supply.

She said the most recent temperature data was measured at a depth of five feet and indicated relatively stable levels; however, samples were last taken in 1998, she added.

"A definite concern is water temperature if water flows are decreased at the state line," said Kostek, in reference to questions raised about minimum guaranteed stream flows as mandated in the ACT compact proposal.

Another important issue discussed at the meeting was the presence of fecal coliform in local waters. Kostek said this occurs as a result of inadequate sewer systems throughout the county. Though the Cherokee County Health Department does not test for fecal coliform in lake water, it does test for it in well water.

Fecal coliform comes from untreated sewage water, which contains disease-causing bacteria and viruses, as well as unhealthy amounts of nitrate and other chemicals.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "Failed septic systems can allow untreated sewage to seep into wells, groundwater, and surface water bodies, where people get their drinking water and recreate."

Individuals around the county are implementing new on-site treatment alternatives to traditional septic systems. However, the treatments are expensive and may seem unnecessary to residents unaware of environmental degradation and its causes.

Where do the pollutants originate? An ADEM brochure explains how daily activities of everyday people result in pollution. A number of sources, including agriculture, construction, urban runoff, septic tanks, and resource extraction, can be monitored for the release of contaminants into nearby lakes and streams.

How close the community gets to improving water quality conditions in Weiss Lake and its tributaries depends solely on public participation and input.

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