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Council approves $220,000 transfer for alum treatment to curb reservoir algae blooms
Summary
The Newburyport City Council approved a $220,000 transfer from water retained earnings to fund an alum treatment in the Artichoke reservoirs, a $350,000 project meant to bind phosphorus and reduce algae blooms; the application runs April 27–May 12 and will be performed by contractor Solitude.
The Newburyport City Council on April 20 approved a $220,000 transfer from the water enterprise retained earnings to fund an alum treatment intended to limit algae blooms in the Artichoke reservoirs.
Council discussion and committee reports said the project’s total cost is $350,000, with $130,000 coming from existing fund balances. The council was told the treatment binds phosphorus in the reservoirs to limit algae growth, and that the work would be carried out by small boat application overseen by environmental monitors. Officials said residents should not notice changes to drinking water and that the treatment is expected to last multiple years but is weather-dependent.
“It's essentially a starvation-type method,” the committee presenter said, describing alum’s role in removing algal food sources. Committee members noted past local experience and peer examples; the presenter said Amesbury’s prior alum work continued to show multi-year benefit in that municipality.
Committee materials provided a firm schedule: field application by contractor Solitude April 27–May 12, with the first six days in the upper Artichoke reservoir followed by the lower Artichoke. Staff said the process is performed while water still routes through the treatment plant and that the contractor and environmental monitors will oversee application and ensure compliance.
Councilors asked about longevity and cost comparisons. Staff said the treatment is less expensive than earlier estimates (the original estimate cited in committee materials was roughly $600,000), and that, if alum efficacy declined, options such as returning to copper-based treatments remain but are not preferred as a first line.
The transfer was approved by the council. Officials said a FAQ and additional public communications will be posted ahead of the application to explain timing and monitoring plans.
Next steps: the treatment is scheduled to begin April 27; the water division and contractor will post updates and monitoring results for residents during and after the work.
