http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-991836.mp3
CARTHAGE, IL – Carthage has battled green or brown water at its lake reservoir most of the summer and into the fall. Mayor Jim Nightingale said the city will investigate a different strategy to clear up the water.
Nightingale said aerators, which would pump oxygen through the city's lake, might clear up the problem.
He said implementation would have to wait because the aerators would cost between $30,000 and $40,000.
Nightingale said, "We're going to get some costs in and budget for next year. We don't have any money in the budget for this year. We might take it out of our capital improvement fund."
The mayor said the city has been treating the city's drinking water once a week instead of the usual once a month. He said the chemicals are costly and the aerators would save the city on chemical costs.
He said the city spent about $6,800 on water treatment chemicals in September.
He said the lack of rain is the culprit for most of the discoloration problem. He said in a typical year the rain would help cleanse the lake.