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BMPs Halt Phosphorus Before it Enters The Lakes

The key polluter is man and his use of phosphorus. Phosphorus is found in most fertilizers. It is represented by the middle number on the bag of fertilizer. If the bag is marked 12-6-12, it means that 6% of the contents of the bag is phosphorus. This element causes algae blooms, thus turning the lake a pea-green color. The nitrogen in the fertilizer causes rapid growth of desirable and undesirable aquatic plants. Fertilizer is carried from yards into our lakes and waterways by stormwater. It also carries in leaves, nuts, sticks, and other plant material, which decompose into fertilizer. Pesticides, herbicides, gasoline and oils are washed off yards and streets and are carried into waterways. These kill microscopic animals and desirable plants. The lake ecosystem gets out of balance and rapid buildup of decaying material (muck) collects on the lake bottom. Water clarity decreases, water color changes, the type and amounts of vegetation change, animal populations change, and the lake become "hypereutrophic". The City's study indicated that the cost to remove one pound of phosphorus from a lake is $12,000. As part of the City of Maitland's Stormwater/Lakes Management Plan several Best Management Practices (BMPs) are being used to capture nutrients and pollutants before they reach the lakes.

The City of Maitland's BMPs:

The City is spending several thousand dollars each year following the Stormwater/Lakes Management Plan it developed in 1995. The City is installing retention ponds, building berms and swales, developing wetland areas, and planting shoreline vegetation at many locations throughout the City. The street sweeper is routinely sweeping the debris from our streets. The Lakes Management Coordinator is actively managing exotic plant growth in the lakes. New technologies, which remove pollutants, are being installed at Lake Lily as a pilot study to assess their effectiveness. Incentive monies are being offered to citizens who desire to install BMPs on their property. Cooperative efforts are being promoted with homeowner groups who desire to install BMPs on common areas. The Friends brought turfgrass management companies and the City together as a part of the "Maitland For Quality" phosphorus-free fertilizer, lakes friendly program. The Parks Department no longer uses phosphorus containing fertilizers. Ordinance #935 was passed which prohibits the discharge of leaves, grass clippings, silt, construction materials, or heavy solids into any stormwater system, canal, or lake in Maitland.

BMPs for Citizens:

	Use liquid or granular phosphorus-free fertilizers.
	Install a fertigation system.
	Use spot treatment of herbicides and pesticides.
	Hire turfgrass management companies who are part of the "Maitland For Quality" program.
	Regularly clear leaves and debris from the street and drain inlets.
	Use soaps on grassy areas, not in driveways, to prevent them from being carried away.
	Install rain sensors and adjust sprinklers to prevent water flowing down the street.
	Revegetate lake shorelines with native aquatic plants.
	Install berms and swales to hold rainwater on your yard.
	Use a mulching mower which recycles nutrients in the yard.
	Regularly remove debris which collects on shorelines.
	Carry and use "baggies" to remove dog wastes.

WHAT THE FRIENDS HAVE DONE

The Friends have helped with the installation of drain markers throughout the city, written educational booklets used in the schools, developed a slide presentation used for adult presentations, gained the cooperation of turfgrass management companies to be "lake friendly" and become part of the "Maitland For Quality" program, promoted and refined the fertigation system, promoted the cooperation of Parker Lumber Company to make available phosphorus-free fertilizers and equipment, trained one plumber at Jim's Plumbing and Irrigation to install fertigation systems that meet City of Maitland requirements, and published several newsletters. Newsletters help keep citizens informed about lake and environmental issues, current city projects and endeavors, and successes achieved by citizens, homeowner groups, and the Friends.

The Friends recommends companies that have been environmentally sensitive and have cooperated and promoted our efforts. Click here to see the list.

The City of Maitland's BMPs:

BMPs for Citizens:

Working together is success!