LAKE COUNTY — A microbe formula might be able to kill the algae in Clear Lake and the county wants to learn more about it.
Microbetech CEO John Pepin came to Lake County, met with Water Resources director Scott De Leon and Supervisor Rob Brown on Wednesday, and is now working on a proposal to treat the nutrient overload exacerbating the algae in Clear Lake, he said.
The microbe treatment promotes bio-digestion of organic matter and restores water quality, according to the company”s Web site. The California Department of Fish and Game approved the products as biologically safe for the environment.
De Leon said the theory is it will out compete the algae.
“I”m not opposed to trying anything as long as it”s safe and it”s not going to create other issues in the lake,” he said.
Brown brought the issue before the Lake County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. Board members unanimously voted to pursue algae treatment in Soda Bay area and consider other areas affected.
Brown said the algae is affecting the quality of water so much that Soda Bay resorts are calling people with reservations and telling them not to come.
“We really don”t need one more business shutting down,” he said.
Brown thinks the microbe might be able to salvage Labor Day weekend for the resorts and others affected by the algae, he said. He got an informal estimate of $25,000 to $40,000 for treatment of the Soda Bay area.
De Leon said he wants the company to do a trial of the microbe in a small test area on the lake at the company”s expense.
“I”m not inclined to spend that money to see if it works,” De Leon said.
He said he and his staff have concerns and questions about the product. De Leon thinks long-term results are more important than short-term abatement.
“We”re looking at every possible thing to try to get the material out of the lake,” De Leon said.
Supervisor Denise Rushing said she would support the microbe if it were one more tool that doesn”t create a bigger problem.
“We need more short-term emergency tools,” she said.
Supervisor Jeff Smith said he thinks the county needs to get both weeds and algae out of the lake.
“You have to treat the whole lake,” Smith said. “If you just do Soda Bay, you kill today”s but you don”t kill tomorrow”s.”
He said he has tried circulating the algae and hauling it out of the lake.
“It”s a no-win situation,” Smith said.
Smith thinks the Middle Creek Marsh Restoration Project is the best plan to get nutrients out of Clear Lake, he said.
Chairman Anthony Farrington questioned the long-term effects of the product but supported the effort.
“Each and every one of us is affected by algae or aquatic weeds or both,” he said.
De Leon said finding ways to get rid of algae on Clear Lake is an ongoing battle. “Whether it”s this technology or some other technology, it”s important for the community to know, the County of Lake and this department specifically is always interested in talking to people with ideas and methods they think will help mitigate the impacts of algae,” he said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
