Name:   redleg6 - Subject:   Alabama Power vs Pleasure Point Park Date:   4/16/2015 8:36:51 AM

John C, you mentioned Lake Watch and here is a response.

We've conducted monthly water quality testing on many sites around the lake for over 20 years through the parameters of Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Alkalinity, Hardness, Temperature (air & water), and Turbidity. Results are sent to Auburn University. These parameters were selected to determine the overall health of the lake, and they were paramount in obtaining the coveted designation of Treasured Alabama Lake by the Alabama Department of environmental Management.

However, those tests do not test for bacteria, although I have done occasional bacteria testing in the Pleasure Point area with no adverse results.  Those techniques are designed more for relatively large bacterial pollution such as municipal wastewater treatment plants and, unless there is a specific spot to test, do not identify individual septic systems that are failing.  Too much dillution.

Like the HOBOs and LMRA, we depend largely on citizen reporting...the lake is simply too big to cover with volunteers.  My personal opinion is that the situation is being handled correctly by Alabama Power Company and the County Health Department.

John, you do a great service to the lake community...thanks.

Dick Bronson