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2- The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 16, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Amber Door Spa Our award winning spa is the best kept secret in Oakville! Come in and relax your mind, body and soul * Facials * Lifting Treatments * Microdermabrasion * Chemical Peels * Organic Treatments * Body Treatments * Manicures/Pedicures * Relaxation Massages * Hot Stone Massages * Reiki/Chakra Cleansing Algae keeps coming back Continued from page 1 Gift Certificates Available Expanded Hours. Open Sundays! W! NESUGARLIME JEWELRY Exclusive in Oakville Upper Middle Road Trafalgar Road Reeves Gate 3rd Line 1500 Heritage Way, Unit 6 Heritage Way N 905.469.4825 www.amberdoorspa.com Now hiring aestheticians. FILE PHOTO / OAKVILLE BEAVER QEW ANNUAL PROBLEM: This photo of algae forming at the east end of Bronte Marina was taken two summers ago. Let's Chat Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, Individual and Couples Counselling ® oyster perpetual lady-datejust in steel and 18kt yellow gold A New Approach To A Better You! Personal Counselling and Business Coaching Your Lifestyle Consultant The filamentous algae Cladophora maintains a considerable presence in the Great Lakes where its growth is fostered by phosphorus placed in the water by wastewater treatment plants and stream or storm water inflows. The Town of Oakville currently spends about $60,000 a year to remove shoreline algae from `hot spot' areas where it accumulates. These locations include the bottom of East Street, just west of the Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park and the shoreline at the bottom of Timber Lane. This program involves the removal of the algae from the water with pitchforks after which it is allowed to dry and then transported to the landfill. Staff noted the effectiveness of this program is limited as algae accumulations recur at the whim of waves, wind and possibly fluctuating lake levels. The Town attempted a more widespread pilot project in 2002 and was successful in removing 180 tonnes of algae from the Oakville shoreline through the use of a weed harvester. However, the project was discontinued because of its cost, $122,400, and because the algae just grew right back. "Through correspondence with surrounding municipalities, it is evident that this issue is not unique to the town," said Chris Mark, Director of the Parks and Open Space Department, in a report to the committee. "Oakville appears to be the only municipality actually investing resources into collecting accumulated shoreline algae." When asked how the $60,000 currently going towards algae collection could be better spent, staff noted that the money could be reinvested into water monitoring. This would allow more data to be collected on the issue, but at a cost of $1,000 per sample it certainly would not be cheap. Staff also noted there are new technologies on the horizon that one day could rid Oakville of the green menace. "Clearly there is emerging science-based technology such as permeable reactive mixtures that removes phosphorus from septic systems, wastewater treatment plants and small bodies of water," said Mark. "Oxidative technologies are being tested, as well, that increase the concentration of dissolving oxygen in water to sustain aerobic microbes and consume nutrients in the water. This technology while promising is untested in larger lakes, but may have an application to near shore enclosed bodies of water." In the end, the committee voted to cut the problem at its source and directed staff to work with Halton Region and the Province towards reducing the nutrients, like phosphorus, which are flowing into Lake Ontario and feeding the algae. This item will be voted on by Town Council in the near future. Humanists discuss climate change Climate Change In Halton-Peel - A Time To Act will be the topic of the Halton Halton-Peel Humanist Community meeting on Tuesday, May 20. The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Oakville Town Hall located at 1225 Trafalgar Rd. Peter Orphanos, chair of the Peel Region Chapter of the Sierra Club, will be the guest speaker. Orphanos is called upon regularly by municipalities for advice on how to create sustainable neighbourhoods while reducing dependency on non-renewable resources. As Oakville and Mississauga are very much car-dependent communities, Orphanos will speak to reducing the carbon footprint by offering ways to direct attention to solutions that are appropriate for the Halton-Peel environment. The event is free and open to the public. For information, contact Elka Ruth Enola at ere@sympatico.ca. WE WILL VISIT YOU AT YOUR HOME OR OFFICE Serving Oakville & Burlington See what we will do for you. Call Now For Your Free Phone Consultation 416-458-3291 A12-481 N. Service Rd. West, Oakville, ON L6M 2V6