Panel hears Cedar, Crystal, Pilgrim pond data
Other Committee 2026-09-28 Part 2 · Meeting of September 28, 2026
Orleans water quality panel reviews pond health data, unveils new bloom-warning signs. Consultant Ed Eichner of TMDL Solutions LLC told the Marine and Freshwater Quality Committee that Cedar Pond recorded its first-ever acceptable deep dissolved-oxygen reading in 2025, though nitrogen and phosphorus remain "excessive." Alum treatments at Crystal Lake and Pilgrim Lake cut deep phosphorus roughly in half, but wastewater still drives up to 60 percent of each pond's phosphorus load pending sewer connections. Director of Health and Human Services Alexandra Fitch unveiled redesigned caution and "public health advisory" signage, crediting summer intern Rowan Brennan, and said "we did use this sign and we got some phone calls from people who had been swimming and then saw the sign and were very upset." The committee approved its minutes 7-0 and set a Baker's Pond alum treatment for early spring 2027.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,412 words
Source: the Other Committee 2026-09-28 Part 2 meeting of September 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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