Utility partners with experts to study fish loss

Spartanburg Water is partnering with multiple agencies and environmental experts to study the effects of algae reduction strategies on the ecosystems contained within two of its drinking water reservoirs.

While those efforts have been successful in slowing the growth of taste-and-odor-causing algae byproducts, utility officials are searching for the cause of recent fish loss in Lake Bowen and Municipal Reservoir Number 1. Although a series of environmentally friendly algaecide applications were made on both reservoirs this week, officials are reviewing data to determine if other environmental factors may have influenced the fish loss.

Utility officials met this week with representatives from the Clemson University School of Agriculture, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Department of Natural Resources to investigate the fish loss and review other important data that may be helpful in refining algae reduction strategies in drinking water reservoirs.

Those strategies have included the application of environmentally friendly algaecides and the installation of an oxygenation system, a new technology that provides a steady supply of the oxygen that is needed to inhibit algae growth in reservoirs and create a healthier ecosystem.

Increasing temperatures, an unstable weather front and changes in the lake’s ecology may also be factors in the recent fish loss, officials said. But the bottom-line message, said Sue G. Schneider, Spartanburg Water’s Chief Executive Officer, is this: “The water is safe, and so are the lakes.”

“Fish loss is an unfortunate but known challenge following algaecide applications,” she said. “We are committed to working with the experts to make additional adjustments to our management strategies to help find the right balance for our ecosystem. We certainly don’t want this to happen again.”

Property owners around the reservoirs, as well as those who enjoy fishing or boating on Lake Bowen, should rest easy, said Ken Tuck, the utility’s Director of Water Treatment.

“Come out this weekend and have a good time,” said Tuck, who has management responsibility for the reservoirs. “Although we have experienced some fish loss, we are absolutely certain that the lake is safe to enjoy.”

A healthy reservoir—and quality drinking water—depends on all of us, he said.

“Just as we’re working with lots of experts to find the right balance for our ecosystem and our treatment processes, we need to work with everyone in the community,” he said. “Sources of runoff pollution, from simple things like fertilizers we use in our yards and gardens to pet waste, can cause algae to grow. You can help us prevent this algae from growing by taking a few simple steps to keep the reservoirs clean and healthy.”

Spartanburg Water has created a new campaign to help support those efforts. To learn more about how “Healthy Lakes Equal Great Drinking Water,” visit spartanburgwater.org/healthylakes to read the latest newsletter with helpful tips about preventing runoff pollution.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHAT IS HAPPENING ON LAKE BOWEN AND MUNICIPAL RESERVOIR NUMBER 1?
Our team has noted the loss of an unspecified number of fish on Lake Bowen and
Municipal Reservoir No. 1 and, following our internal review of events, will be making the
proper reports to SCDHEC.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?
We met this week with representatives from the Clemson University School of
Agriculture, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and
the Department of Natural Resources to investigate the fish loss and review other
important data that may be helpful in refining algae reduction strategies in drinking
water reservoirs.
Those strategies have included the application of environmentally friendly algaecides
and the installation of an oxygenation system, a new technology that provides a
steady supply of the oxygen that is needed to inhibit algae growth in reservoirs and
create a healthier ecosystem.
IS THIS BECAUSE OF THE ALGAECIDE APPLICATION THAT YOU MADE?
We are still working with a team of experts to determine the cause of the fish loss. We
know that some fish loss is an unfortunate but known side effect of the use of
algaecide—a best practice method for environmentally sound algae reduction efforts
in large reservoirs. When administered by trained professionals at the appropriate levels,
algaecide applications are among the best strategies to reduce the presence of algae
that create byproducts that can cause our drinking water to have an unpleasant taste
or smell. Following a study of our challenges with algae, the use of targeted algaecide
applications by trained experts was recommended by the experts at the Clemson
University School of Agriculture.
COULD ANYTHING ELSE HAVE CAUSED THIS?
Increasing temperatures, an unstable weather front and changes in the lake’s ecology
may also be factors.
BUT IS IT SAFE TO BE ON THE LAKES?
Yes. Not only for those who live on or near the lake—including pets—but also those who
enjoy fishing and other recreation on the lake. Municipal Reservoir Number 1 is not
open to the public, but its water is safe, too.
BUT ISN’T THIS OUR DRINKING WATER?
Yes, and our drinking water is safe. Spartanburg Water is fully committed to ensuring the
very best water quality for our customers and the community. Our mission is to provide
quality water in a reliable manner and that commitment means that we will continue to
protect the delicate balance of our unique ecosystem using the safest and most
effective methods.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
First of all, please share this information with others who may not have received the
update. But we also need help to reduce the amount of runoff pollution into the lakes,
which help this algae grow. A healthy reservoir—and quality drinking water—depends
on all of us.
Just as we’re working with lots of experts to find the right balance for our ecosystem
and our treatment processes, we need to work with everyone in the community.
Sources of runoff pollution, from simple things like fertilizers we use in our yards and
gardens to pet waste, can cause algae to grow. You can help us prevent this algae
from growing by taking a few simple steps to keep the reservoirs clean and healthy.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
We will continue to provide updates on the homepage of spartanburgwater.org and
on Facebook and Twitter. Please follow us on social media to receive updates about
things happening at Spartanburg Water.
We also encourage you to learn more about our new campaign to help support those
efforts: Healthy Lakes Equal Great Drinking Water. Please visit
spartanburgwater.org/healthylakes to read the latest newsletter with helpful tips about
preventing runoff pollution.

ABOUT SPARTANBURG WATER: Spartanburg Water, an award-winning utility, is comprised of Spartanburg Water System and Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District. It serves a population of nearly 200,000 within Spartanburg County, as well as others in parts of Greenville, Union and Cherokee counties. With the help of its dedicated team of more than 250 employees, each day it produces an average of 25 million gallons of drinking water and cleans 12 million gallons of reclaimed water for its customers and community.