For Immediate Release: 5/27/2015 8:21 am
Worcester, MA (May 27, 2015) - Indian Lake will be closed on Thursday, May 28th and Friday May 29th due to an aluminum sulfate treatment being administered to eradicate algae.
The Indian Lake Watershed Association, in cooperation with The City of Worcester, has contracted with Aquatic Control Technology to conduct the treatment.
The goal of the treatment is to lower phosphorus levels in the water and reduce the likelihood of nuisance algal blooms.
The City of Worcester Department of Inspectional Services asks that people refrain from using the lake for swimming or other water contact activity beginning at 7:00 AM May 28th. Normal use may resume on Saturday, May 30th at 7:00 AM.
This treatment is being conducted pursuant to an Order of Conditions issued by the Worcester Conservation Commission and a permit issued by MassDEP.
The treatment will be paid for by the Indian Lake Watershed Association, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to restore and preserve the Indian Lake Watershed and surrounding neighborhood through cooperation with city officials and residents.
Since May 1st, weekly tests have shown extremely low levels of blue-green algae.
Indian Lake, like many urban waterways, has suffered from the negative effects of development. Nutrients derived from phosphorus from fertilizers and detergents, runoff from unprotected development, oil, sand and salt from parking lots and streets, and various other items entering the storm drains throughout the watershed reach the lake.
After algae prompted the closure of the lake last summer, City Manager Edward Augustus, District City Councilor Tony Economou, State Representatives James O’Day and John Mahoney, Indian Lake Watershed Association Vice President Beth Proko and others met to plan for the long term health of the lake.
Out of those meetings have come a number of long- and short-term action steps - including erosion control, catch basin maintenance, an annual drawdown of the lake, increased bacteria monitoring and public education efforts - to address the well-being of the lake.
Members of the public with questions may call the City of Worcester at (508) 929-1300.
