Algae bloom or sewage?

Officials believe 40 Acre Pond issue is algae related

A video posted to social media from the Slyfox Fishin’ channel

alleges sewage was dumped into the Forty Acre Pond earlier this month. But those who would

help manage that kind of a leak think there is a different culprit.

EMA Director Troy Anderson said he became aware of the video alleging a sewage spill into the pond and said there had been no evidence of sewage release.

However, oxygen displacement had previously caused a major fish kill on Grand Lake; those dead fish resulted in a distinctive odor in the area.

Anderson said the fish kill likely flowed north.

Grand Lake Park Manager

Dave Faler said the lake is the

highest point of the canal and that it does flow intoforty Acre Pond. He confirmed that earlier

in the month southwest winds drove algae to the north side of the lake causing the oxygen displacement event.

Faler said confident illegal dumping did not happen. St. Marys city uses a relatively new treatment plant, and surrounding

homes have up-to-date septic systems, which dispels claims about illegal dumping.

Anderson said discolored water mentioned in the video would be present in an algae bloom.