Treatment to Save Beach Season at Lake Carmel Underway
Town of Kent residents can expect split treatment of copper sulfate on Lake Carmel starting this week, in hopes of alleviating the problem of blue-green algae blooms that have closed the beaches around the lake for an extended period of time.
According to Kent Supervisor Maureen Fleming, Limnology Information and Freshwater Ecology, Inc. (LIFE) will start with the initial application on Lake Carmel Aug. 4 and then against on Aug. 19. Signs will be posted around Lake Carmel by LIFE representatives on the days the copper sulfate is applied, according to Fleming.
The treatment–a stop-gap measure to save the rest of the beach season–is done in two parts because the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) limits the treatment to 100 acres per application, Fleming said, adding Putnam County’s Department of Health will test the water after it is treated to ensure that it’s safe to swim and it’s anticipated that town officials will be advised of the test results the same day.
In a press release from the county health department, it announced its intention to perform on-site testing to determine if a beach is safe to swim in order to speed up the process. Health effects of coming in contact with blue-green algae may include irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract. If swallowed, high levels of the bacteria can cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, according to the health department.
“The health department has begun on-site testing to expedite this process,” Health Commissioner Allen Beals said in a press release. “Previously samples were sent to an outside laboratory and testing could take three to four days. With this new procedure, if the test indicates it is safe to swim or wade, we can reopen beaches the same day. In this way residents can return to their favorite in-water activities as soon as possible.”
