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Going Green on the Lake

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Lake Martin testing new building techniques, water quality to be friendlier to the environment

By Carl Holcomb

During an early-morning shower, millions of raindrops methodically find their way into the darkest depths of the lake - taking their rightful place alongside the billions and billions of water drops needed to fill Lake Martin. While their lifespan within this man-made reservoir may seem like an indefinite period of time; in actuality, it takes about 6-months for a drop of water to move through the entire lake. In that relatively short period of time, those clean drops of H2O come into contact with many other chemicals that could have harmful effects on the environment as they move through the lake.

Ultimately, it’s up to each of us who spends time on the lake to make choices that will reduce any environmental impact on Lake Martin and preserve it for coming generations. At its most basic level, “going green” means minimizing pollution to the air, water and soil, and preserving natural resources that are not easily renewable. Lake Martin, like all other lakes in Alabama, is rated according to its trophic state index or TSI, which is determined by the algae densities in the water, which fluxuate with the amount of polluting nutrients that flow into the lake. When TSIs are above 50 (eutrophic), this usually means a lake is becoming polluted with too many fertilizers and other nutrients.

According to Dick Bronson, president of Lake Watch, the geography department at the University of Alabama has used satellite imagery to show how pollution from fertilizers and other nutrients are negatively impacting Lake Martin’s upper embayments, where streams enter a larger body of water, but show little impact on the lake’s southern embayments. “There are a few bells going off in the northern part of the lake where the TSI has inched slightly over a 50; however, it is nothing compared to other lakes around the state,” Bronson said. “The conditions are very manageable so it is not time to hit the panic button.” Lake Martin has an official chlorophyll-a designation given by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management which is similar to the trophic state index. “The number is extraordinarily low - probably the lowest in the state,” Bronson said. “It indicates Lake Martin is a very, unpolluted, low-impacted lake in comparison to the rest of the lakes in Alabama.” Lake Watch has been working to get Lake Martin classified as an Outstanding Alabama Waterway by the state for a number of reasons.

“Receiving that distinction, along with an official designation from ADEM, the lake will be worthy of special water quality standards which will raise the bar here on Lake Martin,” Bronson said. “It will be a real feather in our cap for going green.” Conscientious homeowners all around the lake can play a part in preserving the lake by taking simple steps like using phosphate-free detergents. “Normally, the phosphorous from detergents either goes into your septic tank and then leaches into the ground water or, it goes into a sewage treatment plant,” Bronson said. “Likewise, fertilizers with excess amounts of phosphorous can really harm the lake, so many are being judicious with their use. In other words, they quit trying to make their lawns greener than their neighbors.

“Many people living on Lake Martin are also starting to create buffer zones of shrubbery across their lakefront property to reduce run-offs into the lake,” he continued. “This modification in landscaping can have a significant impact on the quality of the lake’s water.” Since erosion of lake front property is a sensitive issue and ADEM continues to fine many large construction projects for failing to put up or properly maintain erosion control devices. Following in their footsteps, the Tallapoosa County’s building inspection program is also getting tough.

“The county inspectors are going to make a difference by checking all erosion control methods - they are pretty harsh with builders who allow the eroding soil to go into the lake,” Bronson said. When it comes to “green” building, one new construction technique being used around the lake can actually lower utility bills by as much as 40 percent. Wade Wilmeth, owner of Wilmeth Builders, LLC, is currently constructing a three-bedroom home that will boast a utility bill of less than $75 by using a new product on the market called ICF (Insulated Concrete Form). He constructed the home with six-inch poured concrete walls which have a R-50 insulation rating, and can also withstand an F-5 tornado with 350 mph winds. With the addition of a 50-year rated metal roof, one-third the normal rated HVAC unit and a modest three percent increase in construction costs, he expects to see dramatic reductions in utility costs. “My long-range goals are to use this building technology exclusively around the lake,” Wilmeth said.

He said another way to go green is to use BluWood, a brightly-colored coated lumber product that’s resistant to termites, mold, moisture and fungus. The product can substantially reduce job site waste resulting from wood framing being exposed to moisture, and can save homeowners money down the road by preventing other problems once the house is completed.

Russell Marine, with its four marinas on Lake Martin, takes a lot of pride in the lake and is doing its part to protect the environment.

“It’s all about ownership,” said Doug Hamrick, manager of River North Marina. “While managing fuel is completely regulated by ADEM, we have removed the automatic catch on the fuel nozzle to keep the customer from overfilling their tanks.” As far as the older two-stroke outboards, which are notorious for polluting the waterways, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has mandated a 75 percent reduction in emissions, which are pushing the design of new outboards towards the four-stroke and the direct injection two-stroke design. Hamrick said many pontoon boat owners use an acid-based wash to keep their pontoons looking pristine.

“We were concerned about the environment so we discontinued the use of that product and are now using a pressure washer to do the same job,” he said. Additionally, River North Marina has installed a sump pump so waste water goes directly into a septic tank. As a matter of policy, when boats are being stored at their facility, if there are any obvious leaks of transmission or motor oils, the customers are notified immediately for required repairs.

“This is our lake and we are going to take care of it,” Hamrick said. Sustainable green development plans involve not only environmental issues but social and economic ones as well.

“Many people have said that Lake Martin is the engine that drives the economy in this part of the state. And to do anything that would make it go downhill would be just plain dumb,” Bronson said. “Whatever suggestions, ideas or impact we have on the lake must be prudent.

“I think we are starting to see a shift in gears because there has been a strong environmental movement for the last two or three years and global warming is catching everybody’s attention,” Bronson said. “But, you know, we have still got some great success stories. Get out in your boat on this beautiful lake and watch a bald eagle fly overhead and you say: ‘Man! We can make it happen.’”

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