Ron Barnett

rbarnett@greenvillenews.com

A Clemson University professor heading a project to rid the water in Clemson and 14 other area water systems of bad taste and odor said Monday that the chemicals he recommended using killed thousands of tiny fish and a few larger ones in Lake Hartwell.

But he said the fish kill and the chemicals used won't affect the quality of the drinking water.

John Rodgers, a professor of ecotoxicology, risk mitigation, wetlands and aquatic ecology, said there are "no issues in terms of human health" from the chemicals that were used to kill algae that were causing the foul taste and smell, or from the dead fish.

Capt. Robert McCullough, of the state Department of Natural Resources, said 5,000 to 6,000 small "bait fish" such as shad and minnows, died in the area that was treated near the intake of the Anderson Regional Joint Water System.

Another 30-40 larger fish of varying species also died, he said.

"In that knowing that certain types of algaecides have copper content in them, that's what will make the water really pretty, but it's not good for fish," McCullough said. "Even at recommended levels ... it can cause fish kills."

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control agrees with DNR, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Anderson Regional Joint Water System that, "the fish kill was a one-time occurrence which resulted from algaecide application on Lake Hartwell," said DHEC spokesman Jim Beasley.

Scott Willett, executive director of the Anderson Regional Joint Water System, said he's awaiting a report from Clemson on whether the treatment was successful in improving the water quality.

The preliminary results appear positive in that regard, according to Rodgers.

We have been what we viewed as successful so far," he said. "We got the ... concentrations (of substances that cause the bad taste and smell) down significantly," he said.

The culprit in the water is algae that produced a substance called methylisoborneol in concentrations of 120 parts per trillion in the lake water. Humans are sensitive to concentrations as low as 10 parts per trillion, Rodgers said.

A 160-acre area near Denver Landing was treated, he said.

A contractor that applied the algaecides used boats that made noise that generally would drive fish away from the area, he said.

Most of the larger fish killed were carp, Rodgers said.

A copper-based algaecide called Algimycin is probably responsible for killing the fish, Rodgers said. He said it hasn't been determined why the algae bloom was so much worse this year than usual.

Another algaecide called Phycomycin also was used, Rodgers said.

The contractor used hoses to apply it directly to the lake bottom where the algae was growing, from the shoreline to depths of 25 feet, he said.

Graduate students are continuing to take samples to determine the concentrations of the offending substance, he said.

"The important message, I think, to communicate to the public is that we are optimistic that this treatment is going to suffice for a significant period, like a couple of months," Rodgers said.

Willett said it could take some time before people in Clemson notice an improvement because of the distance from the treatment plant.

Most Clemson residents questioned said the water still tastes bad but some said they had noticed an improvement from the treatment, which was done Sept. 4-5.

"Water still tastes pretty bad and the hot water has an odor. I don't drink it," Hollis Barnes said. "Don't even like to wash my lunch dishes in it."

"Water still smells bad on Clemson University campus – like earthworms and mulch," said Phyllis Martin Lawless. "I do not drink this water."

But Charlotte Skardon Raburn said she drank some tap water Sunday and, "It was better than last time."

"I think we're all used to it by now," Heidi Coryell Williams said.

In addition to the city of Clemson and Clemson University, the Anderson Regional Joint Water System also serves water systems in Central, Anderson, Pendleton, Williamston, Belton-Honea Path, Powdersville, West Anderson, Starr-Iva, Sandy Springs, Big Creek, Broadway, Hammond and Homeland Park.

State fisheries add 280,000 striped bass to Hartwell