By Joy Warren
The White Lake Town Council met Tuesday evening and received the monthly report provided by Dr. Diane Lauritsen. There have been many questions regarding the water clarity on the east side of the lake versus the west side of the lake.
According to her report, “Dark brown sediment stirred up by boating activity as well as algal mats and vegetation can collect in the western shore of the lake. The decomposing organic material is unsightly and smelly and is best removed by raking up what washes ashore. This is not a new issue as historic reports have indicated summer algae die-off, Benthic Filamentous Green Mats, black and smelly look/odor. Newspaper articles from July 1991 document the same concerns with subsequent discussions of reducing boating activities and moving no-wake buoys further out into the lake in order to reduce the amount of algae that could be stirred up from the lake bottom by boating and wave action. June 2021 conditions and nutrient levels are very similar to what has been seen in recent years.” (See www.whitelakewatch.com for more data/information)
Prior to introducing the White Lake Clarity Campaign, Mayor Goldston Womble said we welcome the input of citizen groups, but they need to be aware of the correct information. Womble reiterated to the crowd that NC Parks and Recreation owns the lake and permits the seawalls and boating regulations. Research and data show the springs are not a significant source of water to the lake. There is little written data on how much the springs previously contributed to the water level of the lake. Ninety percent of the water level for the lake comes from rainwater which currently has a pH level of 6 or greater. Surface runoff and groundwater also contribute to nutrients. Research has not shown any sign that blueberry irrigation ponds have caused any problems with the springs or nutrients as the runoff flows away from the lake toward Turnbull Creek. The 2018 Alum treatment was a short-term solution to dealing with a cyanobacteria (toxin producing). The Town continues to collect data and the main issue currently is a nutrient problem. Womble said the bottom line is we are looking how to reduce nutrients in the lake. The town has spent $2 million on sewer improvements. They are talking with state and landowners regarding reducing the amount of nutrients that drain into the lake (currently 51 outlets that flow into the lake); requesting lake-front landowners stop fertilizing yards; and conducting boat inspections to keep out invasive/toxic algae.
Two current issues that are being dealt with now are fish kill and onshore algae on the west and northwest side of the lake. The fish kill occurs every year with high water temperatures. As the temperature increases, oxygen levels decrease which makes the fish die. Town is looking for ways to help with the onshore algae that is black and smelly. They will try utilizing a non-toxic product that comes in a block and is attached to the seawall along the areas that have the most problems to see if it helps.
Terri Hawley (pictured above), representing the White Lake Clarity Campaign, presented the Council members with the “Let’s Move Forward Petition”. Currently there have been 1,087 signatures. The petition addresses the Town of White Lake and the NC Division of Parks and Recreation (owner of the Lake). The petition states, “White Lake needs your help. While the water quality is safe, according to scientific data, the people who have enjoyed the clear water and sandy bottom are missing what we are accustomed to. Over the past few years we have seen the clarity of our water change drastically. If there are ways to reverse this adverse trend, help us get it back.”
The petition continues, “If changes need to come from the ones who live around the lake, have businesses on its shore, and those who enjoy the recreational opportunities on our water – help us put those guidelines in place. The public needs to know what is being done and what the future plans are by both the Town and the state to find solutions to this problem. We want present and future generations of lake enthusiasts to have a beautiful, crystal clear body of water with a white sandy bottom for years to come.” Hawley requested better communication from the Town regarding the Lake Water Management Plan and next steps for expediting what can be done to return the lake to “clear water and white sandy bottom”. Womble assured Hawley that the Board of Commissioners and Town staff are on the same page as the citizens that signed the petition. At the end of the meeting, during the Open Forum, several citizens voiced some of the same concerns that were discussed during the meeting.
The Town has received notice of approval from the DEQ Wastewater Projects Unit to move forward with the bidding process for Phase II of the Sanitary Sewer Project. The Town has advertised and will open bids on September 8th. According to Brian Cox, Engineer for the project, Phase I is finishing final grading of the Fayetteville/Bladen/Wilson streets with asphalt paving estimated to be completed the week of August 9th. Estimated date for beginning construction on Phase II is November 2021.
The Lumber River Council of Governments recently completed a Wastewater Asset Inventory and Assessment to develop asset inventories, condition of assessment of critical assets, and other components of a comprehensive asset management program for the Town’s wastewater system. There is also the need to complete the same assessment for the Town’s water system. Town staff is seeking state grant assistance to conduct the Water Asset Inventory and Assessment. Council adopted a resolution indicating their approval to seek the $150,000 grant as well as providing 15% required match and 1.5% Grant fee paid by the Town.
The Town received grant funding ($50,000) for a wastewater Merger/Regionalization Feasibility Study between the Town of Elizabethtown and the Town of White Lake to transfer the Town’s wastewater to the Town of Elizabethtown’ wastewater treatment plant. Council approved the contract for WK Dickson engineering firm for the project.
In other business, Council approved the July utility releases ($426.49) and authorized the destruction of records in accordance with the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. The Town will be receiving $245,078 from the American Rescue Plan. The first disbursement ($122,539) was received on July 23rd. The second disbursement will be released one year later.
Womble announced that Town Administrator Sean Martin was accepted into the 2021 Local Government Federal Credit Union Fellows Program.
The Municipal Complex and Post Office will be closed Monday, September 6th for the Labor Day holiday. The Public Works Department will have an on-call person available in case of a water/sewer emergency.
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