Akron.com

Lakemore, Springfield focused on improving lake



Officials from Lakemore and Springfield are working on various initiatives to improve the health of Springfield Lake, as algae blooms have been reported in the lake over the past several summers.

The pollution in Springfield Lake, shown above, that has caused algae blooms over the past several summers has forced the lake’s closure to recreational uses such as boating, water skiing and fishing. Photos courtesy of David Dies

LAKEMORE/SPRINGFIELD — Officials from Lakemore and Springfield are moving forward on various initiatives to improve the health of Springfield Lake as algae blooms continue to negatively impact its aesthetic and recreational uses.
The Springfield Lake Task Force’s Summary Report and Recommendations identified several major contributors causing algae blooms in the lake over the past several summers. The task force was formed in September 2019 to investigate the source of pollution causing algae blooms throughout the summer months in Springfield Lake that forced its closure to recreational uses such as boating, water skiing and fishing. The 11-page report was released in May. [For more details, search for “Springfield Lake Task Force report released” at www.akron.com.]
The report identified Lakemore’s 80-year-old sanitary sewer infrastructure as a contributor to the pollution creating algae blooms, as well failing septic systems of homes around the lake, especially in the McKnight subdivision and Sawyerwood neighborhood on the Springfield side, and storm water flows.
Lakemore Mayor Richard Cole denied the village sewer system is dumping in the lake. He said water seeps into the sanitary sewer system when storm water flows get too high during rainstorms.
“It is the inflow of that storm water that is infiltrating our sanitary sewer system,” he said.
Cole stated village officials are working to get sanitary lines checked for breakage that could result in seepage and are seeking to get county officials to provide tankers to pump overflows during rainstorms to take some pressure off the aging system.
Lakemore Administrator Tracy Fast said the village also has purchased a portable valve exerciser, which is a machine that can shut off the village’s system in the event there is a break in the lines, allowing for the system to be cleaned out.
Other efforts include plans to ditch the entire village and create retention ponds in three low lying areas — one at Lake and Sanitarium roads and two on Sanitarium Road near Waterworks Park.
Fast said she consulted with Hammondtree & Associates, which offers civil engineering and surveying services, to create the ditching plan, and that work has started. The village has purchased a mini excavator to help with this, and one-and-a-half positions are being added to the two-and-a-half that already exist in the service department to do the work, she added.
“They will create swales and gulleys in right-of-ways, starting with the lowest lying areas, that will slow water flow and act as biofilters,” said Fast.
Work on the retention ponds, also located on village property, is scheduled to begin soon.
In addition, village officials are posting information on Lakemore’s website to help residents understand the need to not use fertilizers and pesticides on their lawns, as these chemicals can run off into the lake, and also to allow cattails and lily pads to grow in certain areas to serve as biofilters for storm water.
“We are doing everything we can to remedy the dire situation of the lake,” said Cole. “We are asking for a chance to remedy the situation, which has been going on for six decades. There is no quick, short-term fix.”
On the Springfield side, Trustee Dean Young said after numerous attempts, local officials have gotten the attention of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a meeting with those officials, along with representatives from the township, village, Summit County Engineer’s Office, Summit County Department of Sanitary and Sewer Services (DSSS) and Summit County Public Health (SCPH), to address the matter. These officials are planning to meet Aug. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Zoom videoconference application.
“We appreciate that they are now willing to get involved,” said Young. “We are asking them to do their job to investigate violation of laws to protect water quality. But it’s not just the archaic Lakemore system … there are other factors.”
Young said township officials have called upon SCPH to investigate septic systems around the lake, especially in the McKnight subdivision and Sawyerwood neighborhoods, in order to replace them where necessary and/or to possibly bring central sewer services to the more sensitive areas that impact the lake’s water quality more.
In addition, Young said they have identified sites for potential retention basins and also are trying to educate township residents about not using lawn fertilizers and having downspouts disperse water onto lawns to slow and filter rain water.
The report also suggested the use of conservation areas, and the Summit Soil and Water Conservation District (SSWCD) has been contacted for assistance with this, Young said.
Task Force Chair Michelle Moyer noted it was important for all to start working together to develop an integrated plan.
“There are too many big problems,” said Moyer. “We need help from the Ohio EPA to develop a plan to address the variety of factors contributing to the negative impacts on Springfield Lake.”
According to the task force report, an integrated plan is a process that identifies efficiencies from separate wastewater and storm water programs to best prioritize capital investments and achieve human health and water quality objectives. This approach also can lead to more sustainable and comprehensive solutions, such as green infrastructure, that improve water quality and provide multiple benefits that enhance community vitality.
Moyer stated coordinated efforts and an integrated plan involving the township, village, SCPH, DSSS, SSWCD, Summit County Engineer’s Office and the Ohio EPA aimed at the various problems is crucial in solving algae problems on Springfield Lake.