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
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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.