Few solutions found for reservoir algae plight
Staff reporter
Public officials talked Sept. 8 about solutions regarding water quality and the ongoing algae situation at Marion Reservoir. No resolutions were reached other than continue to treat drinking water and support conservation methods.
Current watershed applications were discussed as one of the long-term solutions.
Time constraints of obtaining federal funding in less than three years also was a point of discussion.
Jim Harris, environmental biologist with Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, led the two-hour discussion at the Corps office regarding non-chemical applications.
Representatives from the City of Hillsboro, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, county conservation district, and Marion and Tulsa corps offices were in attendance.
Harris said he had agreed to research previous options following the last meeting held in August.
He had made contact with appropriate professionals regarding microbial (microorganisms) treatment and requested a cost estimate.
"I was told if cost was a factor there was no point in talking," Harris said.
"There are microbes in the lake already," Harris said. "There are more algae and mass than the existing microbes can handle."
Additional microbes would directly attack algae, Harris said.
Neil Whittaker of the Corps asked if skimming the surface water was a possible solution.
It was suggested a belt-type skimmer remove the surface scum, then have the material placed in drums for removal.
Harris said he wasn't sure if there was a skimmer available to accommodate a body of water as large as the reservoir.
He said he knew of another lake that used a skimmer in a boat ramp lane but was unsuccessful.
Masnor also said he doubted it would be successful.
Steve Garrett, administrator of the City of Hillsboro, wanted the option to be further explored.
"What would it take to prove it won't work?" asked Garrett.
Tony Clyde, a biologist with Tulsa District Corps, said the skimmer wouldn't be able to reach some of the algae.
"The big blooms are five to six feet down in the water," Clyde said. "It would be more for aesthetics."
It was noted the reservoir not only provides potable water to communities and water districts, but also provides agri-tourism dollars to local economies.
"That's the problem," Garrett said. "The aesthetics are important
Clyde said he was familiar with a filter that could pump water but said it came with a cost of $1 million per month.
It was suggested the group may need to come to the realization that there are no short-term solutions.
"We do have short-term," Clyde said. "We have enough data to know when it's going to peak, etc., to advise treatment plants to be prepared."
Masnor said he was concerned about experimenting with unfounded solutions.
"You'd be taking funds away from long-term solutions," Masnor said.
He said the solutions used the past two years have been economical, appropriate, and reasonable.
Harris questioned whether that type of treatment was necessary since the cities of Marion and Hillsboro had taken steps to continue to provide quality water.
Masnor said there are two or three different ways to look at the problem.
"We need to understand the appropriation process," Masnor said, referring to the specific steps required for receiving federal funds.
The group needs to identify the specific problem, look for solutions, make recommendations to Congress, and then Congress will decide.
"The best long-term solution needs to be determined with the best use of tax dollars," Masnor said.
A feasibility study regarding a 50-50 cost share may be required to be completed. Private funds would be required for 50 percent of the cost of the solution.
An environmental assessment also would be required, said Masnor, with an environmental impact statement.
It could take two to three years before funding would be considered by Congress, Masnor said.
Other options were discussed regarding assistance from the Kansas Water Office, watershed projects currently underway, and skimmers or aerators.
Garrett asked if expenditure of funds for various studies was necessary for all solutions.
Masnor said the reservoir belongs to the federal government. Therefore, all solutions and funding must go through a specific process.
Masnor further explained the purpose of the studies was to assure the best possible solution with the least amount of impact on the environment.
"We don't want to cause other problems with the actions to solve one problem," Masnor said.
Garrett said the group of Hillsboro city, state, and federal officials already know what the problems are and questioned the need for a feasibility study.
"I haven't heard these are the only alternatives," Garrett said, referring to non-chemical solutions. He further stated he wasn't sure why only long-term solutions were being considered.
U.S. Senator Sam Brownback requested the meetings to determine a possible solution and cost estimate following letters of concern from the City of Hillsboro and Marion County Commission.
It was not necessarily determined if the solution was to be long-term or short-term.
Masnor said he would check the feasibility of on-sight algae removal from beach and swim areas. Garrett said that was all he was requesting.
No future meeting was scheduled.
