Congamond Lake aluminum sulfate treatment is set to begin, which experts say will keep the lake open this year. (DICK GRANNELLS PHOTO)
SOUTHWICK –Select Board Chairman Russell Fox March 30 signed for the aluminum sulfate treatment of Congamond Lake and that same day, equipment was brought in to begin treatment.
Last week, voters at an outdoor Special Town Meeting approved up to $800,000 for the treatment.
“I think this is a positive thing,” Fox said. “We’ll be able to treat the lakes at the optimum time for water temperatures.”
Eric Mueller of the Southwick Lake Management Committee told Town Meeting members that the lakes have 14,000 years of muck and while they are treated for certain algae blooms, the alum treatment is necessary to remove the muck before other algae take over. He said without it, Congamond Lake would be shut down.
Mueller is an expert on the lakes and is usually paid by other communities for his knowledge, said Fox. “We’re lucky to have him,” he said.
Fox said once the stay-at-home order is lifted, the lakes will be ready for summer.
Equipment is brought into Congamond Lake in Southwick that will allow the lake to be treated for algae. (DICK GRANNELLS PHOTO)
“Even though we’re in the middle of a pandemic, when we get on the other side, this is something people will enjoy and they will come to Southwick to go out on the lake and eat at our restaurants,” said Fox, “and we’ll be ready.”
Mueller said the lakes would still be open during the treatment and residents should avoid the treatment application areas at the time of treatment, but can still use the lake.
