Residents along the shores of Oak Lake heard a few recommendations at a public open house on how to improve water quality and those recommendations aren’t unfamiliar.
Brent Parsons, of Hutchison Environmental Sciences Ltd. presented his findings of a year-long study of the lake, which is just south of Stirling, to approximately 70 residents at the Batawa Community Centre on Tuesday night.
The study was ordered about a year ago after residents complained about smelly water, poor outflows and low oxygen levels in the lake.
Brent Parsons of Hutchison Environmental Sciences Ltd. presents the findings of a year-long study of Oak Lake at the Batawa Community Centre on July 30, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Parsons told those in attendance nutrient levels in the lake have remained stable over time and bacteria have decreased (when compared to the 2001 study of the lake).
He also said the algae which became abundant this year is a green algae which is non-toxic but a nuisance.
Parsons provided a few recommendations which are very similar to the ones suggested in 2001.
Other recommendations included the rerouting of a tile drain to a wetland, limiting vegetation removal to small areas, using smaller or electric motors on boats on the lake or no motors, and implementing speed limits.
Long-term, a oxygenation bubbler could be put in place but that carries an approximately $500,000 price tag.
Another recommendation is for good lake stewardship says Parsons, which is harder to enforce but necessary.
Chris Angelo, the Director Public Works and Environmental Services, says his prime objective is to see the tile drain rerouted.
Eighty residents completed surveys and the majority stated the major concern was agricultural runoff, especially following a manure spill in February 2018.
According to the study, agriculture accounts for 15% of the phosphorus in the lake, while septic systems account for 34%.
Two area farmers (Barr and Detlor) have agreed in principle to have the tile drain rerouted to a wetland that flows away from Oak Lake.
The cost of this work is approximately $250,000.
Quinte West Director of Public Works and Development Services Chris Angelo answers a resident’s question at an Oak Lake public open house in Batawa on July 30, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Angelo says the city needs residents to buy in and do their part.
Angelo is asking for residents to comment and provide their input for staff’s final report to council slated for September.
He says without residents buying in to the programs and solutions, this won’t move forward.
Angelo told the crowd at the beginning of the meeting, “This is your lake and we need your input and buy in.”
A copy of the study can be found here. (The report is expected to be posted by end of day Wednesday)
The year-long study came with a $100,000 price tag and was conducted in conjunction with the City of Quinte West, Lower Trent Conservation, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and parks and the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit.
