Water Quality Management Documents and Resources

The aquatic pesticides that are permitted by the ANC Program are registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). They also undergo toxicological review by EGLE.

EGLE institutes a 24-hour swimming restriction only in the treatment area. This restriction is in place primarily to keep swimmers out of the way of the applicator boat, to minimize disturbance within the treatment area, and to maximize plant uptake of the active ingredient. The only product with a swim restriction on the federal label is 2,4 D ester (Navigate and Aquacide, 24-hour swim restriction). Currently, there are no fish consumption restrictions required by the aquatic pesticide labels of products permitted in Michigan. 

Plant a garden (green belt) with plants along the shore to stop runoff. West Bloomfield has a list of plants. Do not fertilize if you use lake water, there are plenty of nutrients already in the water. If you use city water only fertilize 2 times a year (6 times is too many and can be recommended by Fertilizer Companies). 

STOP FERTILIZING, especially near the lake. Do not use fertilizers with any phosphate in them; use only a nitrogen-based fertilizer. In other areas use as little liquid fertilizer as possible; instead use the granular or pellet inorganic type. Do not burn leaves new the lake.

Monitor existing septic systems. Service tanks every other year to collect and remove scum and sludge to prevent clogging of the drain field soil and to allow less fertilizers to enter the groundwater and then into the lake.

Put in sewers if possible. During heavy rainfall with ground saturated with water, sewage will overflow the surface of the soil and into the lake or into the ground water and then into the lake.

Leave the shoreline and your lawn in its natural state; plant green belts. Do not fertilize lawns down to the water's edge - it is now the law. The natural vegetation will help to prevent erosion, remove some nutrients from runoff, and be less expensive to maintain. Greenbelts should be put in to retard runoff directly to the lake.

Do not feed the geese and ducks. Goose dropping are rich in nutrients and bacteria.

Yes. Stop litter. Litter on ice in the winter will end up in the water or on the beach in the spring. Remove debris from your area of the lake. Also, do not sweep or blow your leaves in the Fall into the Lake. These should be bagged and moved to the curb.