A typical septic system includes a septic tank and drainage field, with water flowing into the septic tank where bacteria, naturally found in wastewater, break down or digest solids. The liquid effluent is discharged to the drainage field and absorded by the surrounding ground. If properly maintained, a septic system is very effective in treating wastewater.

Inproper septic tank use or poor maintenance, however, can create serious contamination problems. Septic systems are not meant for removing phosphorus, pharmaceuticals and most cleaning products, which can seep into the ground and contaminate the surrounding area; some substances, such as paints and cleaners, not intended for down-the-drain disposal, may actually damage the septic system. Poorly maintained or overused septic systems can also contaminate groundwater if untreated sewage leaks from the pipes and tank. Therefore, it is especially important that septic systems be well maintained, emptied at regular intervals and be well away from source water such as wells, lakes and rivers.

I have been doing some research on the fuzz balls in the lake. It is amazing the information that is available on the web.

Gleotrichia is a cyanobacteria or a blue-green algae that forms a colony. The base of each filament faces inward and associates with hundreds of others; therefore, you end up with a ball of "fuzz". Its cells have no internal organelle membranes as per bacteria, ie. no nuculeus membrane. Many of the cells contain chlorophyll, therefore, it is a photosynthesising bacterium. It spends the winter on the bottom where it picks up nutrients and floats up to just below the surface in warm weather. It can form blooms but doesn't seem to be in any troublesome concentration in Chandos Lake. The actual species that is in the lake is called calothrix.

Lake Condition Oligotrophic (unenriched, with few nutrients)
Secchi Disc Reading - Over 5.0 m
Total Phosphorus - Under 10 ug/L

Mesotrophic (moderately enriched, with some nutrients)
Secchi Disc Reading - 3.0 to 4.9 m
Total Phosphorus - 11 to 20 ug/L

Eutrophic (enriched, with higher levels of nutrients)
Secchi Disc Reading - Less than 2.9 m
Total Phosphorus - 21 ug/L or more

West Bay	11.4
Hawkes Bay	8.7
Narrows	7.3
South Bay	11.0
Main Basin	12.6
Gilmour Bay	12.6

The secchi disc and phosphorus readings for Chandos Lake are generally in the high oligotrophic range, with some readings in the low to mid mesotrophic category.
The mean total phosphorus readings, averaged over the last three years for each section of the lake are shown in table 1 at left.

The 3 year, lakewide results, - secchi disc average of 5m and phosphorus average of 10.6 ug/L - appear to indicate that Chandos Lake is very close to being classified as a mesotrophic lake, ie. moderately enriched, with some nutrients.

West Bay	10.1
Hawkes Bay	9.7
Narrows	6.5
South Bay	10.6
Main Basin	8.9
Gilmour Bay	12.2

Cottagers should be aware that the total phosphorus readings rise and fall throughout the year, and from year to year. In general, the numbers for Chandos Lake were lower in 2004. The 2004 results are shown in table 2 at left.

This information will be forwarded to Michalski Nielsen Associates Ltd., for analysis as part of the Lake Capacity Study.

Written by Jim O’Shea using information forwarded by Bev Clark, Head of the Lake Partner Program, Ministry of the Environment

Chandos test results were well within the ‘normal range’, considering that results below 100 for ecoli and 1000 for coliform are safe for swimming. Drinking water requirements are 0 ecoli and 0 coliform. Our tests indicate that the waters in the Main Lake and West Bay were almost drinkable for much of the year; however, do not drink it without appropriate filtration and/or a means to ensure any bacteria have been eliminated from the water supply.

	Ecoli	Coliform
July 2nd
Beach	3	72
Main Lake	0	3
West Bay	0	3
July 17th
Beach	3	90
Main Lake	3	5
West Bay	0	3
Gilmour Bay	0	3
September 7th
Beach	3	69
Main Lake	<3	<3
West Bay	3	11
Gilmour Bay	5	52

When testing at the beach, the water samples were taken near the buoy line, which was as close as one can get with a boat. Since the beach is shallow and warm, it is expected that test results would be elevated. It is, however, good to see that the beach is definitely well within the swimming level.

Other News:
Water clarity, taken with a secchi disc (as illustrated by the top right photo) continued to be good to 5 metres at the test locations. Frog-bit and purple loostrife (foreign invasive species) are present in the shallow wetlands of West Bay. The water temperature hit 21 degrees on July 19, a very low temperature for the date.

		Coliform	Ecoli
June 29	Beach	13	0
	West Bay	19	11
	Main Lake	3	0
July 13	Beach	30	5
	West Bay	3	0
	Main Lake	3	0
July 26	Beach	94	3
	West Bay	11	0
		11	5
Aug. 16	Beach	166	3
	West Bay	11	11
	Main Lake	13	3
Sept. 20	Beach	177	0
	West Bay	33	11
	Main Lake	5	0

Foam on lakewater and along beaches has been a concern for a number of Chandos residents. Research into the question resulted in the following answer.

There are two main reasons for the foaming of lakewater:

Natural Process
The foaming of surface waters on lakes is not a new phenomenon; there is a natural process which has been going on for a long time. All lakes contain organic matter, such as algae, rooted aquatic plants and leaves. When this organic matter decomposes through natural bacterial action, it releases cellular products to the water which form a surfactant, or surface agent. A surfactant simply lessens the surface tension of the water, making it susceptible to foaming. When the wind blows, the waves on the lake agitate this surface agent, thus transforming it into sudsy white foam.

Natural foam is most noticeable along beaches exposed to the prevailing wind direction. When the foam reaches the shoreline, it tends to form a loose line where it mixes with tiny pieces of organic matter, which act as a binding agent and give it stability. This foam is a harmless by-product of our lakes. Its chemical makeup is 99 per cent air and water, combined with one per cent or less surfactant.

Phosphorus Induced
Phosphorus, contained in most detergents, also contributes to the foaming of surface waters. Scientists have recognized that phosphorus is the key nutrient stimulating algal growth in lakes and streams. In past years, approximately 50 per cent of the phosphorus in lakes and streams contributed by sewage (and septic tank seepage) came from detergents. Cottagers, therefore, may unknowingly be contributing varying amounts of phosphorus to Chandos Lake.

Information from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Note: Phosphorus free detergents and cleaning agents are available. Apsley I.G.A. stocks a selection of Nature Clean products.