Blue-green algae bloom feared at Warwick Pond

Posted 8/23/16

Unfortunately, optimism is not a preventative for a blue-green algae bloom. Last Tuesday, Philip D'Ercole thought Warwick Pond had dodged a bullet" and the water wouldn't turn a florescent green as it did for a first time last year. Then"

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Blue-green algae bloom feared at Warwick Pond

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Unfortunately, optimism is not a preventative for a blue-green algae bloom.

Last Tuesday, Philip D’Ercole thought Warwick Pond “had dodged a bullet” and the water wouldn’t turn a florescent green as it did for a first time last year.

Then on Friday, D’Ercole – one of the founders of The Friends of Warwick Ponds – received an email from the Departments of Health and Environmental Management advising the public to avoid contact with pond water due to a probable blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, bloom.

“We are extremely disappointed and disillusioned, but not disheartened,” he wrote in an email.

He said he is disappointed “because we have raised awareness of the water quality issues of Warwick Pond. We have outreached to the residents giving them the information to become good stewards of the water.”

He pointed out that the city has worked on initiatives that should reduce nutrients entering the pond via storm water runoff. Also, in an interview last week, D’Ercole was hopeful that with airport projects within the watershed of the pond having been completed that the runoff of nutrients reaching the pond had been reduced.

The advisory says that pending test results, which are expected this week, people should be careful to not ingest water or eat fish from the pond. Because pets can also be affected by exposure to algal toxins, pet owners should not allow their animals to drink this water or swim in it.

D’Ercole said he is disillusioned because only 50 percent of the residents who live on the pond support the Friends.

“When the people who are going to be negatively affected in their health, their way of life, and their property values seem not to care, you start to wonder,” he said.

But D’Ercole said the organization is not discouraged.

“This has strengthened our resolve, our dedication, and our tenacity. We will increase our efforts to recruit more members,” he said.

He said the Friends would be more aggressive to ensure the terms of the city’s storm water management consent agreement with DEM that sets a timetable for the mapping of storm drains and outflows as well as a schedule of cleaning is completed on time. He said the Friends would request water sampling to identify the source of nutrients reaching the pond. In addition to nutrients, a blue-green algae bloom requires plenty of sun and heat.

“The water we have been blessed with in Warwick is a tremendous asset, and needs to be protected, and nurtured. This is our goal that will continue until we have clean Warwick water,” D’Ercole said.

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  • richardcorrente

    I am a very proud member of the Friends of Warwick Ponds. Last month we had our meeting in the middle of the pond followed by a backyard picnic. After the meeting and visit it was time to leave but I had heard so much about the airport drain that empties into Warwick Pond that I decided to kayak over to it and taste the water for myself. I pre-determined that one gulp wouldn't kill me. As I approached it my eyes started to burn. I could smell a strong chemical odor, and I changed my mind about attempting to ingest any of it. I am not a scientist but something bad is draining from the airport into Warwick Pond. This is a growing problem and, as Mayor, I will address it carefully. The safety of the children who play in it are counting on it. The Friends of Warwick Ponds are doing their share. It's time for the City to step up. And if anyone wants to see it for yourself, call me at 338-9900. I will bring you to the drain. (you need your own kayak, canoe, boat or...)

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Tuesday, August 23, 2016 Report this