By BEN MERITT
Staff Writer
bmeritt@thehammontonnews.com
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HAMMONTON —The final hurdle has been cleared for a water cleansing system to be installed at the Hammonton Lake.

If the system is effective, the lake could be open for swimming as early as July.

The N.J. Pinelands Commission on Friday unanimously approved the town’s application for public development to install a system from Clean-Flo International of West Chester, Pa. The vote was 10-0.

According to the town’s application for public development with the commission, the system includes the installation of 11 underwater air diffusers intended to increase dissolved oxygen levels within the lake’s water column. The submerged air diffusers measure approximately 12 inches by 12 inches. A 16-square-foot shed will house a compressor used to power the diffusers, the plan said.

The Pinelands reported that two public comments to the system were received prior to Friday’s meeting.

“Both commenters support measures to be taken to improve water quality; however, both commenters are also concerned about the noise that may be generated from the proposed compressor,” said Pinelands Director of Regulatory Programs Charles Horner.

According to Clean-Flo President Brian Kling, the system will be installed over a two-day period.

“It’s too early to say when we’re going to get this in. We still have building of the system to work out,” Kling said. However, he hopes to have the system in place as early as late July.

The lake has been plagued with contamination, mainly fecal coliform, for much of the past decade. Things got so bad at the lake last year that town officials closed the lake to swimming for the entire summer. In 2005, it was closed after 13 days because of contamination levels.

The lake has remained closed this year to swimmers. It was open for a day in late may for a triathlon.

Last December, Town Council approved a $36,850 contract with Clean-Flo almost eight years after the system was first presented to town officials.

Originally published June 13, 2007 in The Hammonton News: http://www.thehammontonnews.com/