Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

The Ultimate Guide To Stagnant Water Remediation A comprehensive guide by Clean Water Pro Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

Health Risks Associated With Stagnating Water

Water Body Stages & Self Assessment Checklist

The Importance Of Dissolved Levels

How You Can Aerate & Types Of Aeration

The Fallacy Of The Floating Fountain Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

The Health Risks Associated with Stagnating Water

Do you live near a or dugout of stagnating water?

Stagnating water next to your home or cottage can pose a severe health risk to your children, neighbours, pets, and wildlife in your area.

Owning property near a small pond or is one of the pleasures of suburban and rural living. A beautiful body of clean, fresh water is something that can significantly enhance the value of your property. However, just like other aspects of home and land ownership, maintenance is required.

A that is not flowing requires your immediate attention.

Do you realize stagnating water is in the process of losing dissolved oxygen and its ability to be a life source? In other words, your retention pond or lake is in the process of deep decline. The process of deterioration looks like this:

1. Muck accumulation at the shoreline 2. Vegetation growth throughout the basin 3. Loss of water clarity

As the summer continues to heat algae blooms will become visible at the surface and rotting organic matter will release a foul odor. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

Most people don’t realize active management and routine maintenance of a stagnating water body can reverse a pond’s deterioration – and by doing so, prevent unhealthy algae and pond muck from building up. Check out the following table documenting the hazards associated with stagnant water.

Hazard Effects

Insects Mosquitos and various other unwanted bugs breed and multiply in stagnant water and can spread diseases to your family and neighbours like West Nile and Encephalitis. A stagnant pond can also spread West Nile, Encephalitis, Swamp Fever, and Heartworm to your dogs and horses. Prevention of these serious diseases is far easier than dealing with the consequences of sick children, pets or livestock. Treating animals for these illnesses can be very expensive too.

Rodents Rats, mice, muskrats, beavers and racoons are attracted to stagnant as a water source and can be vectors for spreading other diseases like Giardia, and causing property damage making nests and searching for food.

Poisoning Ponds and small bodies of standing water seem like ideal places to children wanting to cool off in hot weather but unhealthy water laced with cyanobacteria or algae blooms can lead to poisoning and sickness.

Disease Diseases such as Crytosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia and E. coli live in stagnant water and can be spread to anyone handling the water. The stagnant water can also serve as a reservoir of these diseases that can contaminate accidently during flooding etc. Professional help with the assessment of the stagnant body of water and proper advice and assistance in remediation can save a lot of time, money and more importantly can protect your health.

Aquatic Death Dying off of , amphibians, beneficial insects, water creatures and water plants can create layers of organic matter at the bottom of the stagnant water. Besides creating a stinky, messy eyesore this slimy bottom on the pond or dugout can be a deadly hazard for children who may get bogged down in the mud beneath the water and drown. Unfortunately one of the main reasons people swimming in dugouts drown is because the sides of the dugout are steeply sloped and slippery with rotted organic material. Once in the water getting out again becomes nearly impossible for a tired swimmer when the sides of the dugout are slippery and muddy.

Animal Death Stagnant ponds can accidentally kill pets and livestock if other clean water sources are not readily available and the animals drink the contaminated water due to thirst. Cyanobacteria found in stagnant water are deadly to pets and livestock.

Infection Swimming in stagnant water can be very hazardous for your pets causing things from minor ear infections and skin irritations to sudden death from deadly bacteria.

Containment Even when fenced to control access to children and pets municipal ponds that are not being properly managed can still be hazardous as fences don’t contain mosquitoes, rodents or the smell of rotting organic matter permeating the air. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

Water Body Stages

Like any , and ponds naturally change over time through succession. As many outside inputs accumulate, changes in water chemistry, sediment makeup, and organism presence occurs. The aging of a lake or pond is a natural process, but can be highly accelerated through human activity and industry, reducing a waterbody’s life by decades. Ponds or lakes can typically be described to be in three stages of a life cycle:

STAGE 1: NEW OR RELATIVE NEW PONDS AND LAKES

• blue or green highly transparent water • sediment with low levels of organic matter • low dissolved nutrients (especially nitrogen and calcium)

STAGE 2: AFTER 5 YEARS AND NO PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT

• Lakes are commonly clear but can be murky for • A medium level of dissolved nitrogen and short periods of time calcium and typically phosphorus • Smaller bodies of water and ponds will form • Sediment have a much higher level of organic beds of submerged aquatic plants matter (muck starts to form)

STAGE 3: AFTER 10 YEARS AND NO PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT AND OFTEN MISUSE*

• Ponds and lakes have excessive nutrients, • Algae will form as early as July and become especially nitrogen and phosphorus progressively more prevalent throughout the summer • Established beds of aquatic plants at the shore • Low available oxygen line and sometimes several yards into the water • Frequent fish kills and other amphibians and • Often cloudy, murky water throughout most of aquatic organisms the summer and fall • Reduce nutrient load entering into our waterways

Address the issue in the lake using nutrient reduction beneficial bacteria, installing fine bubble subsurface aeration to increase dissolved Oxygen and control algal blooms (snowball approach – bloom, die, decompose, release nutrients, bloom again) Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

Self Assessment Checklist

Here are some of the things we would need to know in order to remediate your water body:

� Algae cover – have you got any? How much of the water is covered?

� Pond size, age, and design features

� Water depth, water source, the frequency of water additions

� Surrounding infrastructure – trees can drop in leaves that will rot, shady or full sun can change the water temperatures

� Water evaluations you can do yourself – oxygen levels, pH

� Status check and maintenance of your current filtration system

� Status check and maintenance of your current aeration systems

� List of additives to the pond: chemicals, herbicides, fish additives like algae eaters etc.

� Do you have in your pond? It can occur for a number of reasons

� Are your pond plants healthy? Dead or dying pond plants are a bad sign.

� What is the status of plants in the water – are there cattails, lily pads, swampy grasses, lithrum?

Details on each can be found on the following pages      Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

� Clarity – is the water clear or cloudy?

Pond water that is cloudy looking, muddy or opaque is the result of high turbidity. Turbidity means that there are dissolved or suspended organic (plant/animal origin) or inorganic (soil, minerals) matter in the water.

You can do a visual assessment of the color and quality of the water by looking across the body of water to assess color and then down through the water column to the bottom. The water should appear light blue, or slightly green but mostly colourless with no floating debris on the surface.

Muddy, turbid water with high inorganic solids throughout is usually the result of the bottom of the pond being regularly disturbed. You can do a quick check for this by taking a jar of the water and letting it sit for 24 hours – if the water becomes clear with sediment on the bottom of the jar then you have proven that the pond is receiving significant mixing often enough not to let it settle. This can be from people or pets swimming in the pond frequently, animals like cattle or deer stepping into the water to drink, animals like muskrats digging in the pond or too many fish for the pond space creating too much waste in the water or digging in the pond bottom etc.

Turbidity can also be the result of decaying algae suspended in the water column or too much fish waste in the overcrowded water.

A common issue is the sides of the pond being eroded and dirt being constantly washed into the pond by rainfall and wind action. Water movement from waves can erode the pond banks and constantly add dirt to the pond. This can be remedied by adding rip rap or gravel to the pond edges to control this erosion.

To get some data on the conditions of the water a sample can be taken with a small sterile jar and sent away for assessment by local professionals. The type of assessment required is going to be determined by the type of tests you select on the lab requisition form and this may be a question you need to ask of professionals to assist you with to ensure that the appropriate lab tests are requisitioned and interpreted. It can be costly to order lab tests that won’t benefit your situation.

� Algae cover – have you got any? How much of the water is covered?

If there is an algae bloom or huge patches of floating algae on the surface of the pond then there needs to be pond aeration and filtration to cut down the effects of these small plants in the water. If you have existing aerators and filters then this equipment needs maintenance immediately.

Algae can die off suddenly during cloudy periods when these small aquatic plants don’t receive adequate sunlight. Algae dieback can be harmful to the pond’s other inhabitants and can lead to fish dying. Some types of algae can be poisonous and harmful to people, wildlife, birds and aquatic inhabitants. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

� Pond size, age, and design features

Assessing the bottom structure of your pond will give you information about the water quality and are a good indicator of the health of your pond. Newer ponds may need time to settle and become clear and healthy.

Water features can have cement, pool plastic or other pool liners, these pool liners degrade and can begin to leak over time. If you frequently have to add water to your water feature then consider draining the pond and doing a visual inspection of the liner. This may be too big a job for most homeowners and professional advice and equipment may be required.

Dugouts, natural water collection sites like ponds can have a natural dirt bottom or a graveled bottom, these too may degrade over time and require inspection and relining with clay and gravel to maintain their integrity.

Some pools and dugouts can have a sandy bottom over clay or bedrock – these can be easier to manage but may still need occasional inspections, cleaning, and maintenance.

The bottom of the pond can be a part of your water management that may need attention if there is constant ingress of leaves, dead water plants and debris being submerged on the bottom of the pond. The pond will become shallower and that will create warmer water conditions that will bring on algae blooms, may lead to fish die off and may create hazardous muddy conditions. Dredging your pond may be something that has to be done to maintain the water quality and usefulness of the water feature.

� Water depth, water source, the frequency of water additions

The water depth is something that should be maintained and monitored over time. If the water is constantly dropping then that situation may call for maintenance because the pond is leaking from the bottom.

� Surrounding infrastructure – trees can drop in leaves that will rot, shady or full sun can change the water temperatures

While trees around a pond can be very visually appealing; they can also create more work for you in maintaining the pond or water feature as leaf litter can definitely negatively affect your water quality. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

� Water evaluations you can do yourself – oxygen levels, pH

Oxygen levels in a pond are very important to the living organisms in the water. Dissolved oxygen levels will fluctuate with the time of day that the water is tested, the amount of shade or cloud cover, the temperature of the water, the number of fish and other organisms using the oxygen, the amount of decaying material in the water etc. You can use a dissolved oxygen meter and sensor to take a reading of the dissolved oxygen in your pond. If you don’t have a sensor, then contact a company that specializes in pond reclamation and maintenance and ask for assistance. The pH or acidity is also an important aspect of water management that requires periodic assessment. An aquatic organism does best in the water around 5-9 in pH. A pH meter or pH sticks can be used to determine the pH of your body of water. Many companies sell water quality test kits and this may be something you might wish to invest in as part of your pond management toolkit.

� Status check and maintenance of your current filtration system

If you have a filtration system in your pond then annual and seasonal maintenance will have to be part of your normal yard maintenance routine. Filtration filters need to be cleaned and replaced often to maintain effective filtration and keep the water quality acceptable. Every situation will differ based on how big your pond is and how much the ingress of foreign particulates is creating filtration issues for you.

� Status check and maintenance of your current aeration systems

There are myriad different types of pond aeration systems and each individual situation will require a different solution. However whatever system you currently use should be annually evaluated as part of your maintenance program. In some cases, older systems may need to be upgraded to cope with the changing pond conditions and weather.

� List of additives to the pond: chemicals, herbicides, fish additives like algae eaters etc.

It’s important to keep a list of all the chemicals used in or around your pond as these can affect the quality of the pond water and can be cause for issues you later encounter. This list can help you in case you require a professional to assist you in discovering the cause of problems with water quality in your pond. Sometimes there is a cascade effect caused by the interactions of herbicides, pesticides and plant dieback that can overwhelm the pond ecosystem and create poor water quality. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

� Do you have fish kill in your pond? It can occur for a number of reasons

Do you see frogs, toads, insects, tadpoles in the water or at the edges of the pond etc.? Are these creatures vibrant and healthy? Check around for carcasses too.

Fishkill can occur when oxygen levels get too low, when water temperatures fluctuate and when water becomes contaminated by things like leached pesticides. Overcrowding of the fish inhabitants may also cause poor water conditions that can result in a collapse of the pond ecosystem and die off of sensitive fish.

� Are your pond plants healthy? Dead or dying pond plants are a bad sign.

You may need to have a professional evaluate this situation as it could be water quality or things like chemicals or herbicides leaching into your pond and killing them.

� What is the status of plants in the water – are there cattails, lily pads, swampy grasses, lithrum?

Some water plants are desirable and others indicate that your water is not healthy and requires more management. Cattails are an example of a plant that when present in large numbers can quickly proliferate and over-run your pond and create a swamp with no open water. In some cases, you may have to resort to herbicides or mechanical means like diggers to control unwanted plant populations in your pond. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

Dissolved Oxygen Levels In The Water

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is the most important thing you need to know if you want to love your water body again. Did you know the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in your favourite water body is the most important thing you need to know? That is, if you want to enjoy your waterbody again or continue to for years to come. That’s right! Low DO in your favourite waterbody will lead to the death of fish and invertebrates, such as frogs and crayfish. Low DO will also dramatically reduce the beneficial bacteria that consume nutrients in the -wa ter. Now this is where this problem escalates because excessive nutrients in your waterbody will increase the muck depth on the shoreline and lake floor. More muck creates a perfect bed for aquatic weeds thereby further increasing the organic matter and nutrient levels in the water. As the water gets cloudier from muddy bottoms, you will see the formation of green algae on the surface of your once beautiful waterbody. In summary, more nutrients in the water is not a good thing. That’s why wastewater from or run-off from agricultural fields are known pollutants of freshwater bodies. You may be surprised to learn that many homeowners or cabin owners like yourself pollute their own waterbody by dumping their grass clippings, autumn leaves, and even their fire pit residue directly into the water. When it comes to keeping your favour- ite waterbody beautiful, you should know that adding organic matter to your lake or pond will release more nutrients. So find another place for your leaves, lawn clippings, and fire pit residue! Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

How To Keep DO Levels Up In Your Favourite Waterbody?

Simple answer… water aeration. Water aeration is the process of adding diffused oxygen to water. Water aeration benefits waterbodies that are anoxic. Anoxia is a fancy term for “the oxygen level is too low.”

How Can You Aerate Your Own Waterbody?

Water aeration is most effective when the oxygen-rich air is supplied directly to the bottom of your lake or retention pond. By doing so, air is applied directly to the oxygen-loving bacteria that love to eat the muck off the bottom of the lake or pond. In stagnant waterbodies a thermocline develops towards the bottom (see infographic above). Water below the thermocline is colder and anoxic in comparison to the water above the thermocline. By applying oxygen to the bottom of the pond, you remove the thermocline and activate the bacteria you want working for you. Simultaneously, you also remove the anaerobic loving organisms from the lake that produce nasty things like blue-green algae.

2 Significant Methods for Providing Subsurface Aeration

01 Coarse Bubble Aeration

02 Fine Bubble Aeration

Several communities have come to the conclusion they need to replace their course bubble aeration system for fine bubble. The cost to run, as as the noise reduction, have been identified as the drivers for switching. The communities who have made the switch have not seen any decrease in the DO levels of their waterbodies. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

Coarse Bubble Fine Bubble

Bubble Size 10 mm .02 mm

Bubble Density 185/sqft 1800/sqft

Ability to add DO to anoxic 1.5-2.0lb/ hp-hr 6-6.5lb/hp-hr water Or 6-8% efficiency Or 22-32% efficiency

Ability to break up a Yes Yes thermocline

Size of compressor 7-15 hp – 2-4 operates large 1.5 HP operates 3 diffusers. diffuser Modular design can add more diffusers as required.

Cost of system $50,000 $25,000

Cost to operate $1,500-$2,000/month $65/month

Noise of compressor Require earplugs and insulated Quieter than a central air building to dull the noise conditioner 75 decibels

Ease of repair Difficult and usually expensive Can be done on-site

Compressor housing Building with ventilation Comes with weatherproof cabinet or can be placed indoors

Compressor system and Filter and oil changes required Filter changes and maintenance maintenance kit every 24 months

Airline PVC pipe needs to be weighed Self-weighted lead free down

Diffuser Plates Large auger type bubbler Self weighted PTFE coated to weighted down with concrete prevent clogging. Designed to blocks. Requires a commercial entrain water from the bottom. diver to install.

Automatic restart after power No, system must be manually Yes, system has a built in restart failure restarted each time. proving peace of mind. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

The Fallacy of the Floating Fountain

You may be surprised to learn the beautiful floating fountain you just purchased will not make your water body beautiful again. Do you want to love your favorite water body again?

FACT: Stagnating or deteriorating water bodies are suffering from low dissolved oxygen levels. If you want to love your water body again, you need to focus your attention on increasing the overall dissolved oxygen content within the water.

Water aeration is widely known as the most viable solution to add dissolved oxygen to a stagnating water body. After all, water aeration is the process of adding diffused oxygen to water.

Water aeration helps stagnating water bodies recover from a lack of oxygen. Stagnating water bodies are not nice to be around or live next too. They stink, the water is murky, and, in the heat of the summer, green from algae and aquatic weed growth. This is why people like you take extraordinary measures to make their water bodies beautiful again, and rightly so. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

So before you get that beautiful floating fountain for your neighborhood retention pond read this. Water aeration is most effective when the oxygen-rich air is supplied directly to the bottom of your lake or retention pond. By doing so, air is applied directly to the oxygen-loving bacteria that eat the muck off the bottom of the lake or pond. In stagnant water bodies a thermocline develops towards the bottom (see infographic below). Water below the thermocline is colder and anoxic in comparison to the water above the thermocline.

By applying oxygen to the bottom of the pond, you remove the thermocline and activate the bacteria you want working for you. Simultaneously, you remove the anaerobic-loving organisms from the lake that produce nasty things like blue-green algae.

Your floating fountain only circulates water within its vicinity and doesn’t go very deep. For shallow ponds, a couple of well placed floating fountains can effectively aerate your water and dramatically improve your water body. When your water body is deeper, the enriched oxygen doesn’t penetrate the first thermocline and thereby doesn’t activate the bacteria required to eat the extra nutrient load in the water, resulting in a pond that will continue to deteriorate.

Bottom line:

If your pond is shallow and small, a beautiful floating fountain or two can work to make your water body beautiful again by providing oxygen enrichment. If your pond is deeper than, say, four feet, and larger than a couple hundred feet across, then subsurface aeration is required. Ultimate Guide to Stagnant Water Remediation

4 Things You Can Do About Stagnant Water

01 Find professional help – you need someone knowledgeable to assess your individual situation and to honestly provide you with the lowest cost solutions to handle the hazards that are inherent to your particular pond, dug out or small lake. Specialized knowledge of stagnant water and its management are a must in this situation.

02 Implementing the suggested solutions can work very quickly to put your property back into a healthy state and will be money well spent on the health and welfare of your family, neighbours, pets and livestock.

03 Maintenance of your system is also a must – the effort to maintain your water feature will be an ongoing effort that must continue annually. However, once the system is in place and functional it can be very cost efficient and can greatly enhances your properties’ beauty and value.

04 On a municipal level, your voice counts as an informed and concerned citizen – your voice has importance especially when you are armed with the knowledge and facts to support your assertions about the hazards of standing stagnant water in your municipality. The neglected pond, ditch, or swampy area is jeopardizing the health of everyone living nearby.