Community Insider Fall 2019 | Page 30

NO MORE POND SCUM HOW TO PROPERLY MANAGE A WATER FEATURE By Patrick Simmsgeiger, Esq. P retty Pond HOA features a body of water. Some call it a lake; some call it a pond; but the HOA board calls it a pain. Oftentimes, developers install a pond or lake to enhance property values, thinking that because natural lakes and ponds seem to fare well without any attention, the water feature will as well. This does not hold true for any body of water, be it man-made or natural. Without proper maintenance, Pretty Pond HOA’s water feature has strange, slimy globs of green stuff covering its surface; huge mats of a bizarre grass are floating up from the bottom; the water is pea-soup green; the waterfall has slowed to a trickle; two of the pumps have ceased functioning, and the one remaining pump is making strange noises. One problem is immediately followed by another; then another. First comes shock, then a frantic search for competent advice, then confusion and frustration. Out of all of the suggestions you have found, not one recommendation is the same. Finally, frustration takes hold, as the full reality of your situation begins to sink in. In order to avoid these pitfalls, request budget planning and maintenance scheduling input from a qualified lake, pond or stream maintenance provider before 30 | SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY INSIDER FALL 2019 components are not functioning. Make sure to contract with a company with a good background, a proven track record, and confirmed references – not the un- proven company with a price that seems too good to be true. Hiring a company with a quality reputation and portfolio puts the community on the road to fully enjoying the ornamental lake, stream or pond, and prepares the board to properly care for the existing water features. DEFERRED MAINTENANCE – WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO DO THIS? By definition, “deferred maintenance” means that a property owner has put off needed maintenance or repairs, and allowed the property to deteriorate as a result. Yes, this saves money in the short term; but the longer maintenance is deferred, the more property values dwindle, and the costlier repairs become, making this a poor long-term financial solution. Whether it’s postponing non-essential repairs until they become essential, or skipping out on maintenance until the algae blooms are too much of an eyesore to ignore, there’s no positive spin to put on it: the term “deferred maintenance” is just a polite euphemism for “neglect.” Just like landscaping and buildings, aquascapes need regular, consistent maintenance. The goal is for the community’s water feature to be a source of joy and beauty in for residents, not a thorn in the board’s side. Keeping it healthy and balanced requires regular maintenance of the following areas: the aeration, the filtration, the aquatic plants, the water itself, and pest control. • Better aeration means better air diffusion systems and fountains, placed for the maximum impact on the water feature. That means less problems with water quality, algae, fish kill, and all sorts of pesky little nuisances. • Filters and regular pump maintenance will handle floating/ drifting debris that can clog up pumps and aerators; this keeps water flow unrestricted, and helps to avoid costly repairs. • Physical maintenance includes removing debris via nets, as well as trimming and treating aquatic plants, weeds and algae. • When based on sound research and data collected from a particular water feature, the application of chemicals can improve water health with minimal ecological impact. • Biological conditioning through the introduction of beneficial fish (mosquito fish, algae eating fish, and catfish) and aquatic plants (Chara, Pennywort, Cattails) will benefit water clarity and quality. • Pests, ranging from mosquitos to invasive turtles, can be removed using the above methods or specialized services. All of these factors are listed because true lake maintenance requires a complete, multi-faceted approach. It’s not just curative, it’s preventative: putting systems like aeration and regular physical maintenance in place solves existing problems, and keeps new ones from arising.