What's been happening for 6 years and the City's efforts? Read here -->
Closed despite bright green blue green algae clumps present (near shoreline) in the photo taken by City
July 3 2022 - https://seeclickfix.com/issues/12786143
(issue archived and marked duplicate by City)
June 26 2022 - Complaint of known toxic Microcystis Aeruginosa retuning in lake, with noticeable odors, and report of potential partial aeration system failure
On July 5 2022 - SPTO Environmental Svc Mgr. (Verified Official) closed the issue and posted: "Thank you for the request. The aeration system was site checked by myself on May 25th, June 15th, June 27th, and July 5th. The pumps show no signs of failure. Five of the fourteen heads do show reduced surface flow in the past two weeks. A management company has been contacted and an investigation is underway to restore full air flow. Related to odors: Odors were not observed during site visits at the above mentioned dates and times. I spoke with three residents in the neighborhood on June 27th and one did report a "propane" or "methane" smell three days prior that did not linger past the morning. There is not a visual process that connects observable blooms with their ability to produce toxins. FDEP sample data results from June show toxins levels remain between the method detection limit and the practical quantitation limit, sometimes referred to as "trace" levels. The reported "methane" or "propane" odors could not be connected to trace amounts of toxins produced by this species of blue-green algae at this time. This odor could be related to the water reclamation facility or other natural processes happening in the estuary around the neighborhood. Thank you again for your request - this work is order will now be closed as it relates to "Odors". "
June 6 2022 - Complaint of health effects and aggravated respiratory conditions from lake's algae situation
(issue archived and marked duplicate by City)
https://seeclickfix.com/issues/12494623
June 5 2022 - New Unidentified Blue Green Algae surface bloom; No City actions implemented or suggestions utilized for BGA control and internal nutrient reductions
(issue acknowledged by City but no posted update, answers to questions or details)
Dec 29 2023 - Issue Closed though BGA has still been present
Jan 28 2022 - "Other large BGA build-ups have occurred again, with no City response, since a prior posting from 12/26/2021 ( https://seeclickfix.com/issues/11659994-still-toxic-blue-green-algae-in-harbor-isle-lake )-- which already noted the again failed GreenClean algaecide treatment performed on 12/8/2021 due to active blooms present soon afterwards. These facts and others directly leads one to seriously consider and act on the following 2 suggestions:
1) Adding more micro-bubble aeration diffusers within the lake lobes to prevent BGA build-ups and improve the efficiency of the current system at removing nutrients within the lake.
2) Clearing out invasive cattails to reduce nutrient loading from their decaying debris, and to reduce the likelihood of toxic blue-green algae being trapped and the release of toxic airborne dust residue from reeds.
Why again are these methods ignored?"
On April 21 2022 - SPTO - Customer Service Supervisor (Verified Official) closed the issue and posted: "The SPTO Call Center has received an update that this issue has been addressed by the corresponding crew. Contractor handles request. Please feel free to submit future requests to us via SeeClickFix or by contacting the SPTO Call Center at 727-893-7421. Thank you"
Dec 26 2021 - "Regarding the toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) occuring [sic] consistently in Harbor Isle Lake since summer, and the multiple reminders of its failed resolution posted online here, you have provided only 2 generic statements, as follows:
February 24, 2020: "Update from public works: the city is aware of thd [sic] reported issue and will continue working with all involved parties to help achieve a resolution to this issue."
December 3, 2020: "Acknowledged and assigned to the Engineering Department so that they may investigate and may take necessary action."
These above statements are more than a year old and there has been little to no demonstrated effort to better investigate, control, or improve city actions regarding remediating this water body crisis, or informing the public."
https://seeclickfix.com/issues/11659994-still-toxic-blue-green-algae-in-harbor-isle-lake
On Dec 26 2021 - The report was acknowledged instead of being closed. The following statement was included by City Staff:
Mayor's Action Center 1 (Verified Official): "We have forwarded the details you have provided to the Stormwater Department so that they may investigate and take any necessary action. Sincerely, Mayor's Action Center"
On Dec 28 2021 - SPTO A (Verified Official) posted: "The SPTO call center acknowledges this issue and will be sending this issue to the appropriate Supervisor for an update at the end of the day. An update should be provided within 5 business days.
If this is a safety issue that needs to be addressed immediately, please contact the call center at 727-893-7421 Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. If it is outside of our business hours, please contact the Water Resources Dispatch Line at 727-893-7261."
On Jan 12 2022 - SPTO A (Verified Official) closed the issue and posted: "Thank you for submitting your report to the Stormwater, Pavement, and Traffic Operations Department. The City has been engaging with the Harbor Isle Community on many issues regarding Harbor Isle Lake.
For further details, please contact the SPTO Environmental Services Manager, Gintautas Zavadzkas via email at Gintautas.Zavadzkas@stpete.org and the Harbor Isles Homeowner's Association. Thank you"
Nov 10 2021 - Complaints of Ignored Suggestions to Lake Remediation Still and No information or updates being provided from City on this continuing issue, yet the City staff online keep closing/archiving these issue complaints
"It's been another year almost and the "acknowledged" seeclickfix complaint has no information posts or status updates from the City at all."
Agenda Item: Presentation on Harbor Isle Lake by City Engineering Director Mr. Brejesh Prayman
Direct Video Link: https://stpete.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=14&clip_id=5383
Index Item 9. A Resolution approving the Fifth Amendment to the Agreement with SOLitude Lake Management (Solitude) to extend the term for an additional six months and increase the contract price by an amount not to exceed $42,331; providing that the total Contract am
Time stamp: Harbor Isle Presentation (2:21:50)
Source: https://www.stpete.org/council/recorded_council_meetings.php
Aug 20 2021 - Complaints of Ignored Suggestions to Lake Remediation and Costs of Useless Nano-bubble Equipment
https://seeclickfix.com/issues/10813449
Previous Acknowledged Issue Regarding BGA in Lake (from Dec 2020) has had no updates or answers from City Officials despite requests for info and descriptions of continued HAB problems -- https://seeclickfix.com/issues/8954408
Agenda Item: Presentation on Harbor Isle Lake by City Engineer Mr. Carlos Frey
Direct Video Link: https://stpete.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=14&clip_id=5126
Index Item 8. Approving the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with SOLitude Lake Management to expand the scope of work for additional services for lake maintenance activities at Harbor Isle Lake related to the Deep Lake Aeration Project and increase the Contract pri
Time stamp: Harbor Isle Presentation (2:01:17)
Source: https://www.stpete.org/council/recorded_council_meetings.php
Jan 21 2021 - Complaints of Ineffective Copper Algaecide Treatment and Still Ignored Suggestions to Solving this HAB Issue
https://seeclickfix.com/issues/9232320
Jan 5 2021 - Complaint of Toxic Blue-Green Algae, its Strong Odors and No Response from City Updates for Months and Still Ignored Suggestions to Solving this HAB Issue
Dec 31 2020 - Complaints of blue-green algae in cattails, strong smells from lake again (Northwest Lobe area) and lack of City updates on this situation
https://seeclickfix.com/issues/9129203-air-quality
Nov 22 2020 - Complaints of blue-green algae in lake and stuck in cattails, also requests for updated comment from Public Works as to why the City has refused to implement the following list of valid and proven actions for lake remediation
https://seeclickfix.com/issues/8954408-blue-green-algae-in-lake
On Dec 3 2020 - The report was acknowledged instead of being closed. The following statement was included by City Staff: "Acknowledged and assigned to the Engineering Department so that they may investigate and take any necessary action."
Feb 9 2022 - Acknowledged issue closed by City without explanation/update despite persisting issues and reports of BGA
Sept 19 2020 - Complaint of Ineffective Recent Algaecide Treatment and Other Ignored Requests Related to Solving this HAB Issue
https://seeclickfix.com/issues/8616405-toxic-green-harbor-isle-lake-action-requests
Sept 4 2020 - Multiple Citizen Comments Showing Concern
https://seeclickfix.com/issues/8530782-toxic-bacteria-in-lake-again-and-smells-horrid
*** These reports have been closed by City officials despite no resolution and these officials provided no City contact names for statements or for follow-ups. ****
Presentation by City Personnel, Carlos Frey, on Harbor Isle Lake
Direct Video Link: https://stpete.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=15&clip_id=4975
Time stamps: Open Forum Comment (13:08) and Harbor Isle Lake Presentation (56:56)
Source: https://www.stpete.org/council/recorded_council_meetings.php
Despite this neighborhood issue, for over a year, Harbor Isle Residents were not informed of this planned agenda item or meeting in advance. Why wasn't an announcement made as a courtesy for all residents to have the opportunity to hear this presentation and/or speak about it, in real time?
There was only one person at the meeting for public comment, an "officer in the [optional] HOA" in apparent contact with the City personnel, who stated: "[There's been] several treatments, they've been very successful" and "[This is the] best example of a positive outcome you can have, during a very challenging project".
-- Yet the lake looked like this, see the August 2020 Photos and prior
Furthermore, a resident had already reported to the DEP online, on August 10, 2020, the large toxic BGA bloom with the following excerpt:
"As you know, Harbor Isle Lake has been dealing with confirmed toxic blue-green algae since 2019. Earlier this year the DEP sampled a record high level in February and since then an algacide treatment, alum treatment, and in June 2020 a submersed aeration system was installed. However, the city and its contractor, have not explained, despite requests, how the aerator design handles input loading and morphology differences-- thus, the design appears to be undersized or mis-allocated for the worst areas suffering from BGA.
Also, the DEP and other mentioned agencies have still refused to provide a follow-up analysis of the lake's sediment and fill material at the bottom which has been explained earlier this year via e-mail, to show high nutrient levels to feed these blooms."
Feb 21 2020 - https://seeclickfix.com/issues/7456205-harbor-isle-toxic-lake
Feb 19 2020 - https://seeclickfix.com/issues/7444871
Feb 19 2020 - https://seeclickfix.com/issues/7442722
Feb 18 2020 - https://seeclickfix.com/issues/7436051
Feb 14 2020 - https://seeclickfix.com/issues/7424015
Feb 13 2020 - https://seeclickfix.com/issues/7421370-stormwater-issue
*** All of these reports have been closed by City officials despite no resolution and these officials provided no City contact names for said statements or for follow-ups. ****
The post stated: "This website will be updated regularly with information and data. "
*** There have been no posts since the initial 2019 announcement. Why no updates there? ***
https://www.fox13news.com/news/lake-residents-frustrated-by-algae-in-st-pete
Lowering lake depth may solve problems - July 22, 2001
https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2001/07/22/lowering-lake-depth-may-solve-problems/
Fish kill solution adds to problem - July 31, 2002
https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/07/31/fish-kill-solution-adds-to-problem/