Algae infestation in Sumner Lake

ONLINE READER REACTION
Published: June 5, 2008

These are some of the online reader reactions to a June 3 article about a body of water in the middle of the Sumner Lake neighborhood, which is infested with excessive green algae. Sumner Lake is in the City of Manassas.

Is the lake/pond open to the public?

NO.

So why should the city or county take care of it? HOAs take care of their own streets and property. How is this different?

If they want their own private pond, then let them take care of it.

Everyone wants low taxes but expects the county or city to do everything for them.  HOA! Dip into your rainy-day fund and take care of it yourself!

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Advice to the poor, poor citizens of Sumner Lake — get over it! THIS is what you think is a front page priority?  Oye.

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It is the city’s problem because it is the city’s lake! Water retention pond or lake, the name does not matter. The City of Manassas collects a premium from those homeowners who live on the perimeter of that water, termed a “water view.” Those homeowners are entitled to expect the city to use those premium tax dollars to fulfill the city’s obligation to maintain the integrity of the lake water.

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Storm water collection ponds are like mini Chesapeake Bays. The same cause and effect problems that affect the Bay affect local water bodies also. If you drive through that neighborhood, the lawns and landscaping are impressive — and one might imagine well fertilized. If the HOA would restrict homeowners from using lawn services that like to add chemicals each month, perhaps this problem would go away.

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GOOD LUCK! We have the same issue in Prince William County! We too have been complaining and no one will listen. The county blames the HOA and we blame both.

We do not live in a HOA area, however what happens upstream affects downstream and we are a victim. 

Next, the neighbors that back my property will be calling to complain because they paid lot premiums to view our land and pond.