ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

November 22, 1974

ANDREW MCFARLAND ZONE CENTER,

Petitioner,

vs.

)

PCB 74—339

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,

Respondent.

OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by Mr. Henss):

The Andrew McFarland Zone Center is a facility of the Illinois

Department of Mental Health and is used for the care of patients

at Springfield, Illinois. Petitioner seeks a variance from Rule

203(h) of Chapter 3, Water Pollution Regulations in order to apply

copper sulfate to a man—made lake for the control of algae. The

lake was constructed for aesthetic purposes and is a major part

of the total environment provided for patient care at the Zone

Center. According to the Environmental Protection Agency the lake

is 50 covered with dense algae.

The Zone Center lake is a totally self—contained man-made lake

and has no outfall unless a major rainfall occurs. Any overflow

from the lake flows on to the immediate flat grounds. The lake is

fed by land runoff and there is no defined tributary to it. The

Agency states that the lake is 4 or more acres in size and the exact

depth is unknown. The lake supports aquatic life but is not used

for swimming and is not used as a water supply for man or livestock.

Eighty pounds of copper sulfate was applied to the lake in July

1972 and again in July 1973 without any fish kill or other undesirable

effects.

The Agency recommends that the variance be granted, stating that

algae can cause fish kills during extended periods of cloudy weather

and in addition, the algae is very unsightly and distracts from the

general appearance of the lake. Petitioner states that it would like

to restore the beauty of the lake for the benefit of approximately

130 patients and also visitors and employees.

Since the amount of copper sulfate to be added will depend upon

the size and depth of the lake, an accurate determination of the lake

size will have to be made. However, we believe that there is sufficien~

information in the record for the allowance of this variance subject

to determination of the size of the lake and observance by the Agency

14—525

---

—2—

of the application of the copper sulfate. A proper application

of copper sulfate we believe will be beneficial and would pose

no threat to aquatic life.

This Opinion constitutes the findings of fact and conclusions

of law of the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

ORDER

It is the Order of the Pollution Control Board that Petitioner

be granted variance from Rule 203(h) of Chapter 3, Water Pollution

Regulations of Illinois for a period of one year for the purpose of

making one application of copper sulfate to its man—made lake. The

variance is subject to the following conditions:

a. That an accurate determination of the size of the Andrew

McFarland Zone Center lake be made and that such infor-

mation be submitted to the Agency prior to application of

the copper sulfate.

b. That copper sulfate be applied at a rate not to exceed

2.7 lbs. per acre foot of water volume.

c. That the Agency be notified before the application of

the copper sulfate and be allowed to observe the appli-

cation.

I, Christan L. Moffett, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control

Board hereby certify th above Opinion and Order ias adopted this

__________day oft)_________ 1974 by a vote of _____to_____