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Homeowners ask Schererville stormwater board to help curb algae in Lake of the Meadows
Summary
Residents representing the Lake of the Meadows homeowners association told the Stormwater Board that recurring blue‑green algae blooms have driven up treatment costs and asked the town to partner on phosphate‑filtering sacks at three storm inlets (estimated $150 each; about $1,800–$2,000 annually if treated four times). Public Works said the lake is private but the inflow infrastructure is public; board will discuss options.
Members of the Lake of the Meadows homeowners association urged the Schererville Stormwater Board on April 8 to partner with them to reduce nutrient‑driven algal blooms in a 17‑acre stormwater retention basin that serves as a neighborhood amenity and part of the town's stormwater system.
"We are here this evening to request the town's partnership improving and maintaining the water quality in the Lake of the Meadows Lake," said Dan Releski, who identified himself as representing the subdivision's HOA. He said the HOA spends roughly $12,000 each year on algae treatment and that seasonal blooms of blue‑green algae (cyanobacteria) have become more frequent and severe.
Releski and other HOA representatives described the lake as a 17‑acre retention basin that collects runoff from three inlet locations serving roughly 55 homes outside the HOA and 17 homes that abut the lake. "That runoff carries organic debris, lawn clippings, [and] nutrients, such as fertilizers, all which significantly contribute to algae growth," Releski said.
The homeowners proposed installing phosphate‑removing filter sacks at the three storm inlets to limit nutrient loading. They said the sacks cost about $150 each, or roughly $450 per maintenance treatment, and estimated that treating the inlets four times per year would cost about $1,800–$2,000 annually. "We've got able‑bodied individuals in our HOA — we can install them ourselves if that would be helpful," said Jeff Horvath, who said he is the acting HOA president.
Public Works Director Chad Nadolski told the board his crews weekly‑check a screen that keeps algae away from the outlet piping but said the lake itself is privately owned. "From a public works perspective, we've never done any maintenance other than checking that screen on a weekly basis," Nadolski said. He added that the storm sewer infrastructure that feeds the lake is public, which complicates the responsibility question.
Stormwater Board members acknowledged the problem and said they would "look into more" to determine whether any legal or practical options exist for town involvement. "I don't know if there is legally — again, this is private property — but we'll talk about it some more and see if there's something we can do for you guys," one board member said.
The item was presented during the Stormwater Board's public comment period; no formal action or funding commitment was taken at the meeting. Board members directed staff to follow up with the HOA and explore possible responses and next steps.
Next steps: the board will review the issue with public works and town administration to clarify legal authority and potential support options before any financial commitment.
