How We All Can Help

Water Solutions

Checklist of Stewardship Practices for LKG Cleaner Water

Boating and other Recreation

  • Use a 4-cycle boat engine.
  • Use lead-free weights and tackle.
  • Limit clearing of shoreline to only the area needed for access and recreation.
  • Adjust boat speed to reduce wake and minimize wave damage to shore.
  • Do not wash dishes, laundry or yourself in the lake while camping.
  • Use Environmentally friendly products when power washing dock area and boats.

Runoff Reduction

  • Reduce paved areas (e.g., use paving stones rather than concrete or blacktop).
  • Redirect downspouts away from paved areas and the lake.
  • Drain your sump pump through the lawn rather than into the lake.
  • Re-establish or preserve a vegetative buffer along the shore.
  • Sweep driveways and walks instead of washing them with water.

Yard Care

  • Use 0 phosphorus fertilizer unless soil test results show phosphorus is needed.
  • Do not use fertilizers or weed killers within 10 feet of the lake waters.
  • Sweep fertilizer, grass clippings and soil off driveways and walkways.
  • Do not blow leaves into the lake.
  • Do not burn leaves near the shoreline.

Exotic Species

  • Learn how to identify and control exotic species.
  • Inspect boats and equipment for exotics before taking them into other waters.
  • Never dump bait buckets or live fish from one water body into another.

Septic Systems

  • Eliminate the use of garbage disposal when using an on-site septic system.
  • Make sure your septic system is sufficient to manage your waste.
  • Pump septic tank annually.
  • Do not use septic tank additives.

If you Love Me, Don’t Leaf Me

Dumping your leaves in the Lake may have serious, negative side-effects on the water.

• Leaves contain high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

• The lake can handle natural leaf influx, additional leaves upset the eco balance.

• Leaves contribute to excessive algae growth which causes green water and a foul smell.

• Algae can release toxins harmful to humans, animals, and fish.

• Non-toxic algae dies, causing bacteria to use up oxygen in the water. This can kill fish and other aquatic life, ultimately harming Sport Fishing and Lake Tourism.

• For those who burn their leaves, please remember, the ashes from burning leaves are very high in nutrients, so please keep them out of the Lake as well.

• Please consider composting and mulching your leaves, they are good for your lawn.

• “The discharge of any vegetation, including grass clippings and leaves, into the waters of Lake Gaston or Roanoke Rapids Lakes is against Dominion Energy’s management policies. Violators can be fined.”

• Leeches love decaying leaves in the water.

 

Thank You for doing your part to not let leaves litter the Lake!

Contributing Articles: NH LAKES, LOWA, Dominion Energy

QWAC IT UP  –  “Urgent Call to Action”

E. coli, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen levels are on the rise in Fresh Water Lakes.

Surface and Ground Water contaminated with Pathogens (E. coli), Chemicals, Nitrogen, & Phosphorus are finding their way into Fresh Water Lakes.

If we don’t manage  this NOW, swimming and fishing could become hazardous to humans and pets in the future.  Fish populations will diminish, and native aquatic plants will die.

 

YOU SHOULD KNOW

E. coli causes bacterial infections, UTIs and Diarrhea. Children and Older Adults are more at risk and can be affected by swallowing as little as a mouthful of water.

Eutrophication is excessive richness of nutrients in a lake due to runoff from the land which causes a dense growth of plant life (algae) and death of native bottom plants and animal life from lack of oxygen.

Cyanobacteria (blue green algae) produce toxins that can damage the liver, affect the central nervous system, renal system, & GI tract.  Blooms have become increasingly frequent in freshwater lakes and can become aerosolized and inhaled at a distance.  It also stinks.

 

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

The #1 Reason is Overworked Septic Systems

Septic Systems are designed to serve individual homes in rural areas or for seasonal occupancy.

Lake Community Homeowners have a special responsibility to ensure that their Septic Systems are not polluting the Lake.

The size of a Septic System is determined by the size of the Household.  It is intended to serve 2 persons per Bedroom.

Having an abundance of houseguests who take long showers or do other “heavy water” chores…Laundry, Dishwasher… may lead to flushing too much grey water into the septic system.  An overwhelmed system will not allow enough time for the solids to settle into the septic system, forcing them into the drain field.  Once solids build in the drain field, the Septic System will not be able to filter contaminants which will find their way into the ground or surface water and then into the Lake.

Heavy rains can impact the effectiveness of your Septic System.

 

THE SOLUTION IS YOU!

Be aware of the signs of an overworked septic system.

  1. Slow draining toilets, showers, and sinks.
  2. Sewage backup in basement drains.
  3. Ponded water or wet areas over the drain field.
  4. Bright green grass over the drain field.
  5. A dense stand of aquatic plants or algae along your shoreline.
  6. Sewage odors.

 

MAKE SURE YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD

 

The huge influx of new owners and investors may not know the insufficiencies of a septic system versus a sewer system.

Septic Systems on Lake Gaston are rated for 2 persons per Bedroom.

Don’t drain a bath, take a shower, wash clothes, wash dishes at the same time.  Be gentle on your drain field.

 

 RENTAL PROPERTIES

If you are aware of septic problems of a neighbor or next-door rental, SAY SOMETHING.  VRBO, Airbnb, and many other rental sites have a “Good Neighbor” policy, and you can express your concerns there.

Lake Gaston borders 2 states and 5 counties making Septic Guidelines a challenge, so it’s up to YOU.

Be a good neighbor and encourage your neighbors to be good Stewards of our Lake Water.

 

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

We might not be able to prevent this pollution from happening, but, if we all work together now, “We Can Slow It Down” by getting the message out.  PASS IT ON!!!

 

Information Sources: Mayo Clinic, US Environmental Protection Agency, National Environmental Services Center.

GIVE A Q.W.A.C.

Quality Water Awareness Campaign