Recent news stories about the toxic algae bloom in Lake Stevens should be a wake-up call for homeowners living around other lowland lakes in the county. (Sept. 26 article, “Algae closes Lake Cassidy for swimming.”)
I live on the shores of Lake Goodwin and have a real concern about the possibility of a similar algae bloom. Algae blooms are caused by the influx of nitrogen and phosphorus into the lake.
The lakeshore lots around the lake are now almost completely occupied with homes, most of which have lakeside lawns. The principal plant foods in lawn fertilizers are nitrogen and phosphorus. The application of lawn fertilizers and the watering of these lakeside lawns are creating a real threat to the future health of the lake. Some homes have automatic sprinkler systems that come on whether needed or not and create direct discharge of nutrient rich water into the lake.
Lakeside homeowners at all of the county’s lowland lakes should try to protect the water quality of their lakes by eliminating the use of fertilizers on their lakeside lawns.
Jack E. Sceva
Stanwood
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing newstips@heraldnet.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to letters@heraldnet.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.
