West Beach Project nearly complete

CELINA - The West Beach Project is inching towards completion as electrical work to help operate the beach's aerators starts to wrap up.

Members of the Lake Facilities Authority on Tuesday approved an invoice of $12,347 for work done by Nate Bomholt Electric as part of the project. The work consisted of installing a 400-amp service near Villa Nova, extending 100-amp service to a shelter house, 200-amp service to the aerators and 50- and 20-amp outlets on the main service backboard. The work had been approved at last month's meeting.

Ebbing said some work still had to be completed, such as the installation of operational diffusers, but expressed hope that the aerators at the beach could be online by next week. If testing could be done quickly in the week following, depending on the microcystin levels found in the area, swimmers could soon be able to safely utilize the West Beach.

"If the lake as a whole is already just above the threshold, there may not be a whole lot that needs to be done to get it under that threshold," Ebbing said.

According to Harmful Algal Bloom sampling data collected by the Celina Water Treatment Plant on July 16, the microcystin levels were 31.2 micrograms per liter. To remove the "no contact" signs, microcystin levels must be below 20 micrograms per liter or below the threshold for the elevated recreational public health advisory. A toxin sign would still be present warning of a bloom with microcystin levels higher than 6 micrograms per liter, however.

Due to the time it could take for testing and to bring the water condition below the threshold, Ebbing said he didn't want to pronounce a grand opening quite yet. More information on the progress of the project would be available by the next meeting, he said.

Members should also have more information on the status of several Clean Ohio grant applications, which would allow for the development of more wetlands around the lake for the purpose of improving water quality.

Current unexpended LFA funds are approximately $2.8 million. Year-to-date revenue has been $35,245.30, and year-to-date expenses have been $14,492.98.