Page 10 - The Friday Flyer ● February 9, 2018

A-10 THE FRIDAY FLYER FEBRUARY 9, 2018

Canyon Lake to receive 8th Alum treatment...

tt FROM PAGE A1 safe and effective method that has been treatment? stable.
minimal impact to Canyon Lake resi- used in many lakes across the country A: Recreational users will experience Q: Is there a threat to Lake Elsinore
dents. to mitigate excess phosphorus in lakes minimal disruption during treatment ap- when Canyon Lake overflows during
Q: What is alum? and reservoirs, according to the North plication and implementation. high water levels?
A: Alum (aluminum sulfate) is one American Lake Management Soci- Q: Will boats be allowed on the lake A: No. By the time Canyon Lake wa-
of the most common minerals found on ety. The alum application will be well during the application? ter would reach Lake Elsinore, it would
earth and has been used since Roman within safe levels as determined by the A: Yes, but certain areas of the lake not contain alum since it would have
times for water purification. Alum is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will be blocked off during the applica- been bound to the lake sediment of Can-
common ingredient in cosmetics, anti- the California Office of Environmental tion process which should last only a yon Lake. Even under severe storm wa-
perspirants, toothpaste, bath salts and Health Hazard Assessment and the Cen- few hours. Boats will have full lake ac-
ter for Disease Control and will not im-
antacids. It is sold as a spice in most cess immediately after the application ter runoff events, if Canyon Lake sedi-
grocery stores. pact humans or marine life. process is completed. ment were to be carried downstream in
Q: Will alum affect the drinking wa-
Q: How does alum reduce phospho- Q: Will beaches be closed during the an overflow event, the alum applied in
rous? ter quality of Canyon Lake? application? Will it be safe to swim? Canyon Lake would remain inert and
A: No. Aluminum concentrations
A: Some areas might be briefly closed
A: Once alum has been added to in the lake itself will meet the Public off during the alum application, but ac- would have no effect on the downstream
the lake, it binds immediately with the Health Goal for aluminum in finished cess will be open immediately once the lake water quality or habitat.
phosphorous and effectively removes drinking water within 24 hours follow- application process is completed. Swim- Q: Will boating be allowed?
the opportunity for algae to grow. ing the alum application. A: Yes. We are going to allow boat-
With less algae in the water, light can Q: How will the alum be applied? mers will be able to safely enjoy the lake ing, but under a yellow status (5 mph)
penetrate deeper into the lake allow- A: The alum will be immediately after the application pro- and no skiing or wake boarding because
cess is complete.
ing plants to grow injected directly into
Q: Will fishermen be allowed to fish of the lower speed.
at the bottom while the lake off of boats during the application? Are the fish safe
improving the over- in specific areas. to eat? Q: Can we go in the water immedi-
all health and water Q: Will my use and A: Yes, but certain areas of the lake ately after the treatment?
quality of the lake. access of the will be blocked off during the applica- A: You certainly can. It’s the same as
Q: Is alum safe lake be im- bath salts. To give an idea, it’s about the
for humans? Marine pacted tion process which should last only a equivalent of one aspirin to 25 gallons
few hours. Fishermen will have full lake
life? by the access immediately after the application of water. It’s no more toxic than holding
A: Alum water process is completed. There is no a penny.
is a negative affect on aquatic life as a Q: Will fish have a response?
result of the alum application. A: None whatsoever. If you see a
Q: Will there be any dead fish in the water afterward, it died
visual impacts with the of natural causes.
water treatment? Q: Why not remove the silt instead?
A: No. In fact, Canyon
Lake’s water clarity should A: Costs, and there are too many to
improve immediately once mention. Not to mention where to put all
the alum is applied. that silt.
Q: Can the material at the bottom For more information about LES-
of the lake become active again? JWA, visit mywatersheds.com. For up-
A: No, once the alum binds with the dates on Canyon Lake alum treatments,
lake sediment it becomes inert and very visit canyonlakealum.wordpress.com.