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WATER QUALITY

SLE has been active in water quality (WQ) efforts since the 1970s resulting in the installation of the
original lake aeration system in 1981.  SLE has been guided by Biology PhDs from Kent State University,
University of Akron, and by EnviroScience Corp. KSU is considered a world leader in lake restoration
and WQ matters. Several biologists from EnviroScience formerly worked for the Ohio EPA.

Two environmental Masters Thesis have been written on Silver Lake (1980 and 2013). Another
environmental Masters Thesis was written in 2015 by the University of Akron focused on
the sediment under Silver Lake.

SLE, SLV, Summit Soil and Water Conservation District (SSWCD) and Ohio EPA other groups
are joining forces to provide education on water quality including discouraging the use of
PHOSPHORUS lawn fertilizers and encouraging storm water management. Storm water
management is a major part of the solution for better water quality.

In 2012 SLE hired EnviroScience to conduct another major study of the water, plants and fish population
EnviroScience 2013 report - Executive Summary

In 2013 Silver Lake Village's Mayor and Council discussed proposed legislation to ban lawn
fertilizers containing PHOSPHORUS that is well known to support algae growth in rivers and lakes.
Eventually SLV Council elected to support lot owner education to discourage the use of lawn
fertilizers that contain PHOSPHORUS. 

In 2014 SLE decided to replace its 33 year old aeration system with the latest technology
after a two year investigation.

SL residents formed Silver Lake Water Shed Committee to educate the public on WQ issues and
to promote best practices. Committee strives to educate the public, SLE and SLV

In 2015 SL Village hired EnviroScience to study the community's storm water runoff into Silver Lake,
the Cuyahoga River and Crystal Lake.

In 2015 and again in 2016 EnviroScience was hired to benchmark water quality improvements
with the financial support of AquaDoc and Vertex
 

2016 YR2 of Replacement Aeration System - WQ Report    (July 2016)

=>Falls News Press article on SLE WQ efforts and results June 2017

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LOT OWNER EDUCATION

SLE lot owners are encouraged to become educated in water quality measurements,
to see posted notices at the boathouse, on this website and swim at your own risk.
No lake, river or ocean water can said to be completely safe.

      1.  Do not drink lake, river or ocean water

      2.  SHOWER after recreational use of lakes, rivers and ocean waters  

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SLE's WQ INVESTMENTS

SLE investigated additional water quality investments in our lake and promoting water quality education
and WQ actions by all SLV residents.  During the 5/28/14 SLE Water Quality Workshop several WQ options were
discussed each with pros and cons with the SLE lot owners. One effective option is to replace our 33 year old lake
aeration system with a newer design with more air distribution points and more advanced air diffusers.. SLV lot
owners have formed additional Water Shed Committee to handle communications, resources, storm water
management and to provide recommendations to the Silver Lake Village and the SLE Trustees.

SLE is also talking with SLV about possible Water Quality efforts with storm sewer drainage (water retention basin)
into SL. SLV Mayor Bernie Hovey and SLV Council has been supportive of SLE's WQ efforts. All SLV residents
need be become educated in water quality, storm water management and do their part to help with solutions to improve
Silver Lake, Crystal Lake, Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. SLV has contracting for a STORM WATER
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY in 2015 to review the SLV storm water being discharged into Silver Lake.
 

SLE REPLACED ITS 33 YEAR OLD AERATION SYSTEM  -  in 2014

SLE after two years of extensive research, due diligence effort and reviewing two designs / proposals has decided to replace
its 33 year old lake aeration system to improve water quality. A display was installed at the Boathouse to see
the layout of the replacement aeration system. Letter was mailed to all SLE lot owners reviewing the need
for the replacement aeration system and emerging science involved. Installation was completed in October 2014
with a phased in start up. It went into full power operation in December 2014.

        SLE letter on replacement aeration system

        SEE Replacement aeration system photos

          Installation photos are also posted at the boathouse / ping pong room

AquaDoc and the aeration system manufacturer (Vertex) agreed to pay for 1/2 of the WQ
measurements in 2015 (YR1) and again in 2016 (YR2)

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WINTER - SAFETY WARNING

The replacement aeration system is running 24x7x365 to improve water quality. As a result the lake ice will not
be safe in winter for ice skating , etc. Warning signs are posted at the Park and in the Lake in several locations.
SLV Police and Cuyahoga Falls Fire Depts. have been advised.

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SILVER LAKE WATER SHED COMMITTEE

A community based water shed committee has been formed to assist the SL Village and SLE with better
storm water management practices and community education. Committee members include Polly Bloom,
Katie Clark, Stu Grant, Denny Stoiber, Dave McDermott and others to investigate improved storm water
management including the historic SLV's practice of using Silver Lake as its water retention basin. If you
are interested in helping with this effort please contact one of the committee members.

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  SLE: WATER QUALITY WORKSHOP # 3  for SLV Lot Owners  ( Town Hall Meeting )   
    Wednesday 6/18/14 ,  7 PM - 9 PM
     Silver Lake Church / Fellowship hall
     - Review prior water quality educational materials
     - Review recommendation to replace 33 year old lake aeration system
     - Q&A with water quality / environmental experts
     - SLE presentation 6/18/14

  SLE: WATER QUALITY WORKSHOP # 2  for SLV Lot Owners  ( Town Hall Meeting )   
     Wednesday   5/28/14, 7 PM – 9:30 PM
     Silver Lake Church / Fellowship Hall

     PRESENTATIONS MADE

   - SLE and EnviroScience
  -  Summit Soil and Water Conservation District - Storm Water Management
  -  AquaDoc  (available for Q&A)
 

               TOPICS COVERED

·         SLV  storm water runoff into Silver lake, rain gardens and lake shore plant buffers

·         Growing international recognition of the pollution problem including Lake Erie (new science since 2009)

·         Aging of Silver Lake, Crystal Lake , as recreational lakes

·         SLE’s prior WQ studies and investments in WQ

·         Elimination of misinformation and urban rumors

·         Regular summer WQ testing by Summit County Health Dept

·         Advanced WQ testing by EnviroScience and AquaDoc 

·         Due diligence process to evaluate effectiveness and safety of various WQ treatment options including a
    replacement aeration system (with pros and cons for each)

·         SLE WQ due diligence matrix developed

·         Request for neighborhood committees for communications, environmental / technical support

·         Extensive question and answer period with national experts

 SSWCD AND OHIO EPA:  WATER QUALITY / ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOP # 1
     for SLV Lot Owners  (PUBLIC MEETING)
         Saturday 3/1/14   9 AM  - 12 N  SLV Hall
         Sponsored by Summit Soil & Water Conservation District (SSWCD) and the Ohio EPA
         SSWCD presentation 1
         SSWCD presentation 2
 

  SLE:   WATER QUALITY EDUCATION FOR SLV COUNCIL   4/4/14
         SLE presentation to SLV Council on 4/4/2014
 

  OHIO ANNUAL STORM WATER MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
       June 5-6 2014
        Akron Convention Center

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WATER  QUALITY  TESTING:

Summit County Health Department periodically tests the water quality in Silver Lake and other lakes
weekly in the summer months. SC Health Department recommends recreational use advisory
if fecal coliforms (e-coli / 100 ml) tests reveal: (a) Any one reading is over 400 or (b) the average of
five or more readings within one month over 200. 

E-COLI

-   Periodically check this page for updated water quality readings and other educational information.
-   Test results vary by water sample location, water sample depth and time of day.
-   Heavy rains create SLV storm water run off into Silver Lake (lawn fertilizers with PHOSPHORUS)
        causing a short term spike in algae growth*
-    According to Summit Soil & Water Conservation District (SSWCD) Silver Lake is serving as a
       storm water retention pond for Silver Lake Village (plus part of Stow and Cuyahoga Falls)
 

  *  Fecal coliforms is the only standard recreational water quality test used by
      98% of public health agencies

**    BLUE GREEN ALGAE: Since 2009 there is an emerging science that also looks at Blue-Green algae level.
        No safety standard recommendations on B-G algae level is provided
        by from SC Health Dept, State of Ohio or THE Federal government. 
        Only reference levels found in one report from the 2003 W.H.O. (World Health Organization). 
        Government health agencies. SLE's consultant EnviroScience have not been available to provide
        firm guidance on safe B-G algae level for recreational use- only the WHO's suggestions. Most
        literature on B-G algae levels are focused on 'drinking water' standards (not recreational use.)
        US EPA or Ohio EPA are expected to develop some B-G algae standards at some future date.
 

Summit County Health Department starts e-coli testing in late June. Summit County Health Dept takes weekly fecal
coliforms readings weekly in June &  July each year. SLE is also taking its own fecal coliforms water samples and
those are being tested by Adams Lab.

AquaDoc and the replacement aeration system manufacturer have agreed to pay for 50% of the 2015
water quality benchmarking testing, up to a $5,000 contribution to SLE.

AquaDoc and the replacement aeration system manufacturer have agreed to pay for 50% of the 2016
water quality benchmarking testing, up to a $4,000 contribution to SLE.

SLV hired EnviroScience to study storm water discharges into Silver Lake, Crystal Lake
and the Cuyahoga River.

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SILVER LAKE - FISHING

The EnviroScience study included a comprehensive 2013 FISH STUDY and it noted an over population of some fish
  (that should be removed from the lake)

     FISH to be removed from SL when caught

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WATER  QUALITY -  REFERENCE  ARTICLES

EPA

How to understand and manage your lake - part 1

How to understand and manage your lake  - part 2

OHIO
http://oh.water.usgs.gov/

http://oh.water.usgs.gov/beach_index.htm

http://oh.water.usgs.gov/beach_factsheetsandreports.htm

http://oh.water.usgs.gov/beach_faq.htm

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sir20155094

MI
http://mi.water.usgs.gov/projects/silverlake/summary.html

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT/ PARKING LOTS
Permable Parking lot case studies
Permable Parking lot - white paper

Lawn fertilizerS -  run off articles

 http://lawntolake.org/phos.htm

 http://www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/understanding/impact_fertilizer.html

 http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/polluted-run-off

 http://water.usgs.gov/edu/phosphorus.html

 http://www.epa.gov/glindicators/water/phosphorusb.html

 PDFs
   Is it safe to swim in Lake Erie ?   Cleveland PD 6/21/15

  SLV / SLE mailer on phosphorus in lawn fertilizers - 2013

  Water quality improves after phosphorus ban
 
  Scotts drops phosphorus from Turf Building product 2013

  Phosphorus free fertilizers

  Cleveland Plain Dealer article on fertilizer impact on Lake Erie
 

HAB (Harmful Algae Bloom)

Record Algae Bloom in Lake Erie - summer 2015
http://www.theoec.org/one-ohio/most-severe-bloom-century

http://epa.ohio.gov/dsw/wqs/NutrientReduction.aspx#146064464-background-information

http://epa.ohio.gov/HABAlgae.aspx

http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhprograms/eh/HABs/algalblooms.aspx

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/7194/20140522/toxic-algae-to-return-to-ohios-lake-erie.htm

http://www.odh.ohio.gov/~/media/ODH/ASSETS/Files/eh/HAS/blue-greenalgae/cynobacteriahabs.ashx

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/06/are_green_lawns_worth_the_risk.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiO-GHFGONE
 

 E-COLI

http://oh.water.usgs.gov/

http://www.ohionowcast.info/index.asp

http://great-lakes.net/beachcast/faq.html

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/05/24/some-lakes-under-e--coli-advisory.html

http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20140612/NEWS01/306120017/Local-lakes-undergo-testing-E-coli-bacteria

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NEWSPAPER  ARTICLES
 

AKRON BEACON JOURNAL

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/city-working-on-plan-to-stop-toxic-algal-blooms-in-akron-drinking-water-1.769007

CLEVELAND  PLAIN  DEALER NEWSPAPER

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/07/vigilant_water-testing_program.html   7/18/15

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/07/lake_erie_experts_predict_anot.html 7/10/15

Is it safe to swim in Lake Erie?   6/21/15

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/01/lake_erie_safe_drinking_water_bill_dies_mysterious_death_in_2014_congress_editorial.html

http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2013/08/harmful_algal_blooms_are_growi.html

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/08/toxic_algal_blooms_in_lake_eri.html

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/08/toledos_water_ban_demands_a_ho.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/newview/2014/08/the_algae_bloommirrors_the_imb.html

http://videos.cleveland.com/plain-dealer/2008/09/lake_erie_algae_bloom.html

http://photos.cleveland.com/plain-dealer/2012/04/earth_day_environment_through_10.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/01/algae_fight_to_cover_all_of_gr.html

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/03/phosphorus_runoff_action_report_on_lake_erie_toxic_algal_blooms_deserves_serious_consideration_editorial.html

 http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2014/02/international_commission_takes.html

 http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2013/08/harmful_algal_blooms_are_growi.html

 http://www.cleveland.com/science/index.ssf/2013/04/report_says_harmful_algal_bloo.html

 http://www.cleveland.com/science/index.ssf/2013/04/record-sized_lake_erie_algae_b.html

COLUMBUS DISPATCH

10/3/15 (reprint in Cle PD 10/4/15) Toxic algae bloom now stretches 650 miles along Ohio river
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/10/03/algae-along-the-ohio.html

8/21/15 Toxic algae bloom found in Ohio River
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/08/21/Toxic-algae-bloom-detected-in-Ohio-River.html

6/9/15 Toxic-algae warnings issued at Grand Lake St. Marys

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/06/08/Algae-warnings-issued-at-Grand-Lake.html

 5/17/15 Low Buckeye Lake water level to affect fish, algae and Cranberry Bog
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/05/17/eco-impact.html

TOLEDO  BLADE  NEWSPAPER

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/08/16/Manager-hired-to-oversee-repairs-at-treatment-plant.html

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/08/16/Water-caucus-draws-hundreds-to-air-concerns.html

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/08/15/Ohio-provides-150M-in-loans-to-fight-algae.html

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/08/12/Downpour-contributes-to-algae-problem.html

http://www.toledoblade.com/Technology/2014/08/10/Local-firm-has-eyes-on-skies-to-solve-regional-water-woes.html

http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2014/08/07/Ohio-EPA-warned-Toledo-of-imminent-vulnerability-1.html

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/08/05/Lawmakers-urged-to-act-stunt-Lake-Erie-algae-growth.html