Kitsap Lake Algae Control Treatment to begin Monday, June 8, Boat Launch Closed through Thursday, June 11 for Application

The City of Bremerton is beginning recovery efforts under COVID-19 and will start the next phase of the Kitsap Lake project next week. 

Kitsap Lake algae control measures will begin Monday, June 8 and are expected to continue through Thursday, Jun 11. The Kitsap Lake Park boat launch will be closed to public access from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day to allow the application boat to be loaded without interruption and reduce boat activity on the lake. Phoslock application is completed in systematic lines or routes that slightly overlap each other so all areas of the lake surface receive an adequate dose. Wake from boats, or the boats themselves that cause the application boat to swerve or change course will reduce the effectiveness of the application. We ask that all boaters and jet ski enthusiasts avoid using the lake during hours of application, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The City selected AquaTechnex LLC to apply Phoslock (phosphorus sequestering agent) in Kitsap Lake to control algae growth to reduce the potential of a blue-green toxic (cyanobacteria) algae bloom. Blue green algae blooms have caused recreational contact closure of Kitsap Lake an average of 2 times per year during the summer months. This Phoslock application will improve water quality of the lake to acceptable conditions for use by humans, animals and fish. 

Phoslock is a product specifically designed to remove phosphate from water to improve water quality. It is NSF/ANSI Standard 60 certified for use in drinking water, was originally developed in Australia, and has been used in hundreds of applications in the US for over 10-years. It is 95% clay (bentonite), and 5% lanthanum. Lanthanum is the active component that reacts with phosphate in the lake forming an insoluble, non-toxic mineral that becomes an inert component of the lake sediments. Phoslock is sprayed as a slurry by an application boat and it sinks through the water column binding with phosphate as it settles. Once settled on the bottom it continues to bind phosphate released from the sediment. Use of the lake is possible within a few hours of application.

This project has been developed in cooperation with Kitsap County, Kitsap Lake property owners, and the City of Bremerton. Issuance of Coverage under the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management General Permit was received on May 1, 2020. Notice of Phoslock application was sent to all residents and businesses located on the lake shoreline last week to provide the 10-day pre-application notice required by the Permit. 

For more information on Phoslock, please click here.