In homeowners associations (HOAs) and other residential communities, lakes and stormwater ponds have the potential to become more than functional neighborhood features; they can become hubs for community gatherings and recreational activities like fishing, swimming, and boating. They can also serve as stunning focal points with sparking water, breathtaking fountains, and flowering shoreline vegetation. Yet, clean, beautiful water doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a village (literally) to keep community lakes and ponds in optimal condition, and if everyone isn’t on the same page, imbalances and safety issues are more likely to arise. It’s vital to ensure all residents observe best practices to keep their community waterbodies healthy, and that starts with education.
How Residents Can Impact Water Quality
Residents are often unaware of how their daily activities and decisions affect nearby waterbodies. In fact, aquatic weeds and algae—two of the biggest sources of complaints to property managers—are driven by many factors that we have significant control over. Ensuring residents are informed about these factors and empowered to take preventative actions may help property managers reduce long-term management costs, limit complaints, and maintain beautiful water that reflects positively on the community.
How does water quality become imbalanced?
First, it’s important to understand how water quality can become imbalanced. Waterbodies containing high levels of nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen are more likely to experience nuisance weeds and algae, including toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), as well as a host of correlating issues such as bottom muck, bad odors, and flooding. Phosphorus and nitrogen are naturally found in bottom sediments and released by decomposing materials in the water, however, external nutrients are also brought into the water through human activities, from urban development and agriculture to gardening and pet waste.
Residents and employees can help limit their negative impact by observing the following best practices:
Reduce fertilizer use
Avoid using chemical fertilizers for lawns or gardens. During storms, these products can be carried by rainwater into nearby waterbodies and promote the growth of undesirable weeds and algae. When necessary, opt for organic alternatives that have low levels of phosphorus.
Dispose of pet waste and trash
In communities, dog waste is a significant source of excess nutrients. Make sure pet waste disposal stations are readily available throughout the property, particularly in dog park areas, and ensure they are regularly emptied. Garbage cans should also be available to prevent litter. It’s common for stormwater equipment to become blocked by styrofoam cups, plastic bags, and other trash, increasing the risk of equipment damage and dangerous flooding during storms.
Clear yard debris
After landscaping work, instruct residents and maintenance crews to bag leaves, sticks, and grass clippings to prevent these materials from entering and decomposing in the water. This is especially important when trimming grass or plants around the shoreline.
Stay in designated areas
People love getting up close to the water, but treading too close to the bank can lead to shoreline deterioration and increase the risk of falls (and subsequent legal battles). Eroded sediment brings excess nutrients into the water and promotes the accumulation of slimy bottom muck. Communities can designate clear walking paths and recreational areas by strategically planting native vegetation around the perimeter and can encourage congregation in safe areas by installing a dock or gazebo.
Implement Professional Proactive Strategies
When partnering with property managers to educate their communities, we often find that many residents are eager to take action and make a positive difference. Nonetheless, some preventative strategies are best left to the professionals as part of a comprehensive management program.
Regular water quality testing and monitoring helps Aquatic Experts understand what’s going on below the surface and detect potential problems before they get out of hand. Eco-friendly products can be applied to the water to promote healthy conditions; these may include nutrient remediation products that prevent nutrients from fueling imbalances that lead to aquatic weeds and algae. Biological bacteria may also be introduced to promote the efficient decomposition of dead plants, bottom muck, and other organic matter. Additionally, experts can help communities select the right aeration solutions to improve circulation and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels while accentuating the beauty of the community.
In some cases, more powerful solutions may be necessary, whether to quickly eliminate an invasive species infestation, rebuild an eroding shoreline, or physically remove hundreds to thousands of pounds of bottom muck. However, with preventative measures, communities can help avoid these potentially costly problems and, instead, focus on maximizing their enjoyment of the water. While community-wide education, regular reminders, and new infrastructure can certainly take up time and funds, property managers should view these efforts as an investment in the satisfaction of residents, home values, and the long-term success of their community.
Maintain Beautiful Community Lakes
SOLitude Lake Management is a nationwide environmental firm committed to providing sustainable solutions that improve water quality, enhance beauty and preserve natural resources.
SOLitude’s team of aquatic scientists specializes in the development and execution of customized lake, stormwater pond, wetland and fisheries management programs. Services include water quality testing and restoration, algae and aquatic weed control, installation and maintenance of fountains and aeration systems, shoreline erosion control, muck and sediment removal and invasive species management. SOLitude partners with homeowners associations, golf courses, private landowners, businesses and municipalities. SOLitude Lake Management is part of Rentokil, a leading business services company, operating across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
For more information, visit SOLitude Lake Management at solitudelakemanagement.com, and connect on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
