Community pond, someone's dying it

Troy,

This is called trespassing and Vandalism. Put a notice up where everyone can see it, saying that this is an environmental hazard, the animal life is at stake and the water department will give citations to the HOA which everyone will end up paying for. Your pond, is it connected to the water supply in any way? Like a drainage or overflow area? How stupid is this. Someone apparently is not aware of what can happen when someone pollutes a water system.

That's all fine and dandy and I appreciate the positive use of the product. BUT, we have NO idea what's being put in it and the controversy is someone taking upon themselves to do such a thing without any approval. I'm curious if anyone's had to deal with this sort of thing and how it was resolved. Now, if we find out what's going on and the community decides to do such a thing, then fine... But until then, it'll set a precedence of uncontrol initiative (positive or negative).

Thanks for the information.

Troy,

I understand the concern the Association would have about products being used without their knowledge or consent. The reaction of the Board is very important here.

If the Board reacts like it's on a witch hunt to punish the individuals involved you will probably never get the information you want.

If the Board reacts with a thank you for the donation but concerns of possible over use of the product because of the lack of tracking the amount or when the treatments are used, they might get answers. Perhaps the board could form a pond advisory committee to track these things and make recommendations.

Again, I understand the concern the Board has but if they over-react to the issue it can cause more problems then what might actually exist.

Tim

Melissa,
No fish that I've seen have died. The HOA pays to have the pond stocked with fish. This isn't an issue about the product persay for me personally, I think it looks ok. But, the other Board members and landscaping committee members don't like the fact, including me, that someone's taken it upon themselves to alter community property.

There are two things. First, one resident on the pond doesn't like it and secondly, this is the sort of thing that definitely needs, in my opinion, to be brought out in the open, discussed and voted on, especially since there's been a situation of the first........ (someone not liking it)

Troy,

Tell us about the pond. Is it a natural pond, spring fed or is it a drainage or retention pond?. Do you have someone who maintains the condition of the pond?. Is your County or City involved in the water management of the water area?

If those are algae control chemicals that have been added, there needs to be a measured amount added and turning it blue is way too much of whatever it is. This surely cannot be left to some homeowner who may think that they can add chemicals at their own discression.

Troy,

I am going to guess after what you just told me, that the pond is a retention pond from street runoff, like most HOAs now have. They are created to catch runoff from yards and property withing the developement in order to keep this "grey" water out of the storm water systems from your water district.

The fountain in there is acting like an aeriator which is good otherwise the pond water does not move and becomes nasty. If it is constructed like most of these systems, there is an overflow pipe somewhere which is connected to a sewer connection from the water department that is in your County or City. The overflow will drain water when the pond level gets too high.

Having said that, there apparently is someone who cleans or monitors the pond. There are companies all over that service these water systems and perhaps your pond is also being monitored. Ask your Board if there is such a service being done.

Troy: I've worked on a pond committee in an HOA for several years. Based on that experience, the only thing I can tell you is that you should make sure this is stopped as soon as possible, and anything added to the pond is done in a professional manner. There are environmental concerns, as well as HOA responsibility should the water supply of your city / county be polluted. Even substances that are 'harmless' if added in the right doses are probably harmful if not. So I would approach it in sending notices to residents asking for the person who did this to step forward, but in a non-confrontational manner and approaching it in the 'we are not necesarily against it, but due to possible liability need to know what it is' way.

Secondly, I think this is a very good opportunity for your HOA to forming a pond committee. There are many things to learn and from personal experience, it can be very rewarding and interesting what one might find. The ponds of the HOA for which I was on the committee are now algae free, and no chemicals are added to the water anymore, but it took several years to achieve that. We also removed the fountain we had, turns out that one was mainly for display purposes, but didn't really help aerating the water. Instead, we had bottom diffusers. The first couple years were tough since we had some people adding dye and other chemicals to the water which not only killed fish but also useful plants which help you clean the water naturally. In any way, all I wanted to say is it will pay off in the long run for the HOA, and individual homeowners can learn a lot should they ever have their own ponds or lakes.

Having read all of the posts in this thread, it strikes me that it's missing facts necessary to xdo anything more than speculate.

1) What is the actual chemical composition of the blue tint?
2) Could it have been introduced into the pond naturally?
3) Could it have been introduced into the pond accidentally?

Rob

Peter,
Thanks for the insightful reply. I like it and it makes all sense. Unfortunately, with this small community, it's the typical case,,,, not enough volunteers for the regular board and ARC let alone start any additional committees. I'll bring this up to the board and maybe the landscaping committee could do the pond as well. We would love to get a newsletter out there, but again, it's the lack of volunteerism that's hurting us. It's no different than any other organization. Like my Classic Mopar Car Club in which I was President on and off for a decade, only a small amount of interest in helping or contributing...


Rob...

1. Short of having a specialist come in and doing some sort of foresnics on it, we have no clue. That's why we've asked the community if anyone knows anything about it. Unless we know what it is, we can't know the chemical composition.

2. Again, short of knowing what it is, it's impossible to know. But, my gut reaction, based on my living there pretty much from day one of the pond, it wasn't natual. That's my final answer.

3. I really doubt it. One day it's a natural dark color any body of water would be like this and the next, it's this obvious blue... But, sure, anything's possible. I'm sure the person who had the dye "accidently" put it in there.

So, until someone steps up, it will only be speculation. In the meantime, the HOA needs to educate itself with manner/tactics to stop this act. Later on, as Pete as mentioned, make modifications from a professional way... Not midnight application...........

Thanks.

Troy

Troy: Yes, all our problem, called apathy. What we did back in the day when our committee was formed was ask people directly. It actually started a very similar way to yours, after turnover some people started taking matters into their own hands with dumping dye and other chemicals in, and some homeowners living along the ponds (we had 4 ponds) didn't like it. So we approached those directly when they voiced their dislike and asked them to work on the committee. The loudest complainer turned into the best resource

Another way is to convince people they can personally benefit. That's hard to do without evidence they are seeing on the spot, but again from my past experience, we had 16 people serving on the committee over the years, and all mentioned they'd do it again if they had the chance. Some admitted being hesitant before and would do it again since there is much to be learned about our water, landscaping practices, and our environment overall. I saved 80% on my water bill per year, just by applying what I learned.

One argument is that the HOA, and hence all homeowners, can save a lot of money. Before turnover, the developer had hired a pond maintenance company for the 4 ponds, and that cost about $16,000 per year in total. After several years of educating ourselves, planting the right trees and plants for reducing stormwater runoff, having bottom diffusers installed, working with the city to have a creek rerouted through our main pond, and doing many other things for the better, we now don't need the pond maintenance company anymore, and it does cost out about $4,000 per year for maintenance now (replacing plants, running the diffusers etc). So that is saving $12,000 per year, which can be used for other purposes, and in our case was actually used for reducing the dues by a small amount.
Once people see what is in it 'for them' (unfortunately that is where we are as a society), they may want to help out. In any case, I wish you good luck with all this!

Thanks Peter,

It sounds like you have "Ponds Done Right" with all of the native plants. That is Native Blue Salvia in my pictures.

Hi Donna … absolutely beautiful. Can you give me a list of the plants you utilized for high moisture area? And what planting zone and temperature range do you live?

I totally agree with proper plants the pond will generally have virtually no issues. Once in a while in the spring I may start to have algae because plants are just getting started again after the winter. If needed I add a little natural barley straw extract once a week for a few weeks until the plants are re-established. After that no problems ...

Hi Donna:

Thank you!!!

We are also zone 6 (or sometimes 5). Our home is E to W facing with the front to the West. I did xeriscape in the front because we like to travel and also prefer the low maintenance and less water consumption (need to conserve resources). LOL … also if gone for a week the neighbors cannot gripe that the grass is too high and needs mowed.

The back because of primarily shaded and for my spoiled rotten dogs is the green oasis. I will just have to be sure none of the plants you gave me on the list are hazardous for my Shih Tsu puppy. You know how dogs are any flowers or leaves blowing in the wind can become potential “chew toys”.

My neighbors have been amazed at how green my back yard grass is so early in the spring. I finally had to confess that was because I do clean my waterfall/pond each spring and the grass absolutely loves the natural nutrients from the pond water put on the lawn. My lawn is watered and fertilized 2-3 weeks before the irrigation water is running.

With regards to xeriscape, I have had a number of neighbors comment how much they like our landscape. Many homes in the subdivisions have lawns with other HOA required number of bushes. Until we put in the xeriscape I believe individuals had not really considered how well it can complement the home.

Also BTW ... thanks for the front range gardening website link!!!