Cyanobacteria worries spur locals to action over Lake Sunapee

By Ruth Ward
A number of alerts and warnings have come out this summer for cyanobacteria blooms in our waters. Recent media reports have quoted Kate Hastings from the NH Department of Environmental Services as saying this has been a record year. So, what is cyanobacteria and why should we care?

Cyanobacteria used to be called Blue-Green algae. They are photosynthetic bacteria that utilize the sun’s energy but also behave as bacteria. They are some of the earliest inhabitants of our waters; naturally occurring in most of our lakes, though often in relatively low numbers in New Hampshire.

Cyanobacteria increase as lake nutrients increase, although each species has its own unique requirements for growth. The blooms, or scums, are usually seen floating on the surface in the summer but can also be seen over the winter.

The blooms are not pretty to look at and many varieties, in high concentration, produce toxins that adversely affect livestock, domestic animals and humans. This is not just a domestic concern but a global one as well. Waterbodies that are well developed seem to be more vulnerable to the blooms. Water health is also affected by E. coli, a bacteria present in soil and fecal matter.

For New Hampshire, this is an important issue. There are definitely health concerns and who wants to come and swim in waters infected with cyanobacteria? We have tourists flocking to our waters and we like for them to enjoy our lakes without the risk of getting sick.

Another concern is whether cyanobacteria are adversely affecting fish and other aquatic life. This is under study at the Center for Freshwater Biology at the University of New Hampshire. Imagine not being able to enjoy fish, crabs, lobsters or clams. Devastating.

Most of New Hampshire lakes are clean and healthy. A few lakes have experienced cyanobacteria bloom but, as I am writing this, there are no active blooms. Sullivan County does not have many big lakes. Most residents drive over to Lake Sunapee for swimming and boating. However, Lake Sunapee has experienced cyanobacteria blooms. Residents are very concerned. If you have ever been on the lake, you know there are lots of houses, some with lawn going down to the water’s edge.

With rain, which we have had plenty of this season, there is run-off containing all kinds of impurities, such as fertilizer, leaks from faulty septic systems and other contaminants.

A group called “Save Lake Sunapee Watershed,” representing over two hundred area residents, has been encouraging local boards of selectmen to be active in protecting the local watershed. The group feels that, if the water quality declines, then area property values will suffer. The SLSW proposes the enforcement of stormwater protection and erosion control measures, which it feels are a key contributor to the decline of water quality. SLSW is hoping that the residents of Newbury, Sunapee, New London and Springfield will join in the effort of protecting the Sunapee Lake watershed.

It is important that our state’s legislature continues to monitor this challenge and learn everything possible before rushing into legislating on this important issue. Appropriate action should be based on scientific consensus when and if the time comes.

For lots of good information on this topic, visit www.lakesunapee.org.

Sen. Ruth Ward (R-Stoddard) represents District 8 in the New Hampshire Senate