VIDEO: Lake Lily Bubbles, Hums

CAPE MAY POINT — Bubbles coming up from the bottom and a humming sound emanating from Lake Lily are not an indication that the Loch Ness Monster’s cousin Vinnie has taken up residence there.
“Bubblers” and two compressors were installed on the lake Dec. 19 and 20 as components of the Clean-Flo System. While the bubbles are hardly noticeable, four borough residents have complained about the low, humming sound coming from two compressors mounted on wooden platforms along the shoreline.
One compressor is located at 519 E. Lake Dr. and the other near the intersection of Lake Drive and Lighthouse Avenue.
The Lake Committee plans to deaden the hum before warm weather arrives and windows are opened, according to Borough Commissioner Joe Nietubicz. He said the compressors would be lowered closer to the ground with shrubs planted and fencing installed around the units.
The hum is more noticeable on the other side of the lake opposite the compressors.
“Apparently the water is acting as an amplifier,” said Nietubicz.
A compressor is located one house away from his home. He said his neighbor told him he could hear the compressor inside his house.
Nietubicz said weather seems to effect how much the sound carries. He said noise pollution is considered to be sounds exceeding 75 decibels and the compressors produce about 20 decibels.
The units run 24 hours per day, seven days per week. If fencing and shrubs do not deaden the sound, a “doghouse” would be built over the two compressors.
The problem with building a “doghouse” over the compressors is heat build up due to a lack of ventilation, said Nietubicz. That is considered a last resort solution, he said.
Eleven “bubblers,” or diffusers as they are actually called, are located in the lake. They have created mild streams of bubbles that don’t seem to be disturbing resident ducks and geese.
The lake has not turned into a cold water Jacuzzi.
Diffusers are not located at the end of the lake where the island is located because the lake is too shallow at that point. While diffusers could prevent the formation of ice, that section of the lake should continue to be available for ice-skating, said Nietubicz.
Lake Lily has been plagued with Duckweed and algae. Two years ago, algae turned the lake shades of green, red, and purple and the borough’s Environmental Commission and Lake Committee began investigating installing equipment to oxygenate the lake.
Clean-Flo Systems, of West Chester, Pa. was chosen to install an aeration system.
At a presentation to commissioners last year, Brian Kling of Clean-Flo said its systems correct or reduce high bacteria counts, algae and weed growth and build-ups of organic material such as leaves and bird droppings.
He said build-up of decaying organic material in standing water causes the depletion of oxygen, which in turn causes a severe decrease in nutrients within the lake, and ultimately eutrophication