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A program to fix the taste and color of drinking water in Lake Hartwell is responsible for killing several thousand small fish. Now, a local scientist says that treatment had detrimental effects on other lake fish.
Within days of applying the chemical treatments into a small section of lake Hartwell, Clemson researchers working a program to improve the region’s drinking water admit there’s an issue. They confirmed about 5000 small bait fish, mostly shad, were killed by the chemicals along the shore line.
The Department of Natural Resources said it is a small number in relation to the amount of bait fish in the lake, adding that smaller fish can be vulnerable to algaecides. But is it affecting larger fish?
“We were out on the lake on Saturday, I saw just carp,” explained Julie Willis, a professor of environmental science at Anderson University with degree in environmental toxicology. Willis also lives on the lake across from the treatment site. Not liking what she saw, she took pictures.
“Along the shoreline, every 100 to 300 feet or so, there would be a dead carp washed up,” said Willis.
Over the course of two days, she estimates seeing close to 100. Researches already admit the killing of small fish was not a natural occurrence.
“If you’re killing off fish within that system and that was an unintended consequence, the question is what other intended consequences are happening,” said Willis.
So, is there any reason to believe the carp are being killed by chemicals?
7 On Your Side sent the pictures to the Department of Natural Resources, who forwarded them to researchers.
DNR Captain Robert McCullough told 7 On Your Side there’s no way to know if the carp was affected, but said they are bottom dwelling fish who eat the problem algae. He said the treatment was according to code but DNR and DHEC are investigating.
Anderson Regional continues to stay quiet on the fish kill until treatment is complete.
As for Willis, the timeline speaks for itself.
“The algaecide was put in on Friday, the die off happened Saturday and Sunday,” she said.
In addition to Clemson and “Anderson Regional,” an environmental firm from Greenville, “Synterra,” is also monitoring the process. It says the chemical is being used in 160 acres of the lake and the treatment process should take two months.
The “Anderson Regional Joint Water District” says this all started after a season of drought followed by heavy flooding. Mother Nature produced a major increase of blue-green algae in the water; about ten times the treatable amount. The algae create a greenish color and an earthy taste to the water, but the district says its drinking water is safe.
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