To Dye For: Annual testing program protects our water resources

For nearly fifty years, various forms of dye testing have taken place on the Fulton Chain of Lakes and on Big Moose Lake.

In the beginning, during the 1960’s, many system were found to have direct lines straight into the lake.

Dye tests were easy then…put the dye in, flush, wait one or two minutes and watch the lake turn bright green. Ouch.

Fortunately since that time, because of the diligent efforts by so many volunteers through the years, finding those “two-minute bright green” results rarely happens.

Of course, without the efforts of property owners to remove those old catastrophic direct lines to the lakes, we would still have a problem today.

Our waters in the Town of Webb, and generally throughout the Adirondacks, are some of the cleanest waters that can be found.

With the continued efforts of the various lake associations, property owners, and the Town working together in a cooperative manner, the dye testing program will continue to be a part of an on-going public awareness campaign…our lake water quality cannot be underestimated.

However, dye testing is only a piece of the bigger puzzle of water quality.

There are many things that impact water quality. And because the old catastrophic direct lines to the lake are gone, or at least we think are all gone, the dye test results and potential findings become a little harder to find.

Now we concentrate on surface discharge or the movement of untreated septic under the surface, simply not as visual as many years past.

One sure method that still is hard to beat; the good old “stink” test never lies.

Public awareness is a very difficult thing to accomplish.

This article is one of many forms of communication used to try and get people to understand the importance of water quality.

The dye testing program is another, knocking on the door requesting to perform the dye test or watching your neighbor replace his septic system is still another.

Some may have noticed on some properties that are very close to the lake, new systems being installed.

Comments have come back to the Code Office regarding concern that these systems are not 100 feet away from the lake, and in some situations maybe only fifty feet away. How can they do that???

There are many camps [single family dwellings] that were built in certain areas with old gravity septic systems.

If the house is only twenty-five feet off the lake, and there is no pump…guess what, the old septic system is not any farther away than the house.

When those old systems are used, especially by too many people, and more than likely have old toilets and fixtures that are not water savers, untreated water will get to the lake.

Gravity is not going to push it up hill and away from the lake.

In the last few years, there has been a huge increase in the number of small waste water treatment units installed in properties not able to meet the minimum separation requirements of leach field to lake.

And these systems do not break the bank…they offer affordable alternatives as compared to some of the more commonly known installations.

There are a number of concepts out there and have been in use for many years in other states, and around the world.

It is all about proper treatment before discharge into the ground, which always ends up back in the water, either ground water or the lake…or both.

Things that help keep your system in good shape:

Pumping the septic tanks every few years. Never put grease or fat down the drain.

Never use garbage grinders in the kitchen sink.

Use proper soaps. Install water saver fixtures.

Use the one gallon flush toilet [put two or three bricks in the tank].

Do not overload the system with too many people. Take one minute showers.

Avoid Clorox or bleach of any kind.

Never put paper towels down the drain.

A little yeast is good. Less water equals more time for treatment before discharge

And finally….budget a new, properly located and designed system.

For more information contact your favorite engineer, contractor or code office. Go on-line and learn…do your part in keeping our waters clean