The following e-mail represents the action taken by the CDD to identify the problem in Westbury and the solutions:
Originally, we were notified that there may be a blockage in the storm system causing the problem. After numerous investigations, we found that while there was debris in the inlet (water bottles, plant material etc.); none of it was sufficient to cause a blockage and subsequent odor.
The CDD took immediate steps to address the issues once they were brought to Management’s attention, including contacting our lake management company, Solitude, to treat the lake. We also contacted the CDD Engineer (FDC) and the original site contractor (Ripa) to do further site investigation. During these investigations, no problems with the utility system (wastewater, water, or reclaimed water) were identified, nor were there problems with the stormwater management system, which continues to function as designed and permitted.
We then contracted with another environmental/aquatics company to investigate the issue. They have found that an algae bloom, that has moved around the large pond depending on how the winds were blowing, has found itself back to the southwest corner of the pond (prevailing winds), which is very close to the Westbury neighborhood.
This company has offered a number of solutions to clean up the pond and remove the algae. Among them is “rake and removal” which literally means they will clean up as much of the surface of the water as possibly. Rake and removal started this morning. Additionally, they will apply environmentally safe chemicals over a period of time to treat the water column to address residual algae and bacteria to curb the current bloom and lessen the risk of more bloom. The first of three treatments is scheduled for early next week.