-April 2004 -

Newsletter for Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia  Volume 6, Issue 55; April 2004

SPECIAL EDITION

Editorial:

Two important matters to bring to your attention. The first is from local resident Tim Marshall, who is making a great offer you might like to consider relating to the dreaded lerps.

The second matter is an item from Pittwater Council. As many of you know, the SIRA committee has been negotiating with council to reduce the visual impact of signage near public jetties on Scotland Island. Your committee do understand the problem facing council relating to potential claims made by the public when public property is not correctly identified as hazardous. Council have now agreed to such a reduction in impact and to this end will be erecting more discreet signs on JETTY SHEDS. If you sill feel unhappy with the new signs, please contact council. Please read the item below.

Lerps - another solution

Regarding the lerps,

I have tried to find some information on the above mentioned subject with no great success except for the possibility of introducing oxygen to the tanks.

I have since designed and built a stainless steel aerator that is easily plumbed into the bottom of tanks and uses your existing pump to force water through a simple venturi system – no moving parts – to naturally aerate tanks without the use of chemicals. I now have my tank aerated automatically by a timed solenoid but haven’t had the opportunity to fully test the aerator to see if this method will work against the lerps and generally stagnating water. I dumped what water we had and started again, our water now though, is crystal clear and tastes great.

Some information found on the net suggests that aeration will break down bottom organic sediments. Aerobic (with oxygen) bacteria break down organic sediment at a much faster rate then anaerobic (without oxygen) bacteria - By keeping oxygen at the bottom of the tank not only will the aerobic bacteria reduce muck, it also will help keep up with new organics that are getting into the tank, such as leaves and algae. It is also claimed to eliminate odours and improves water clarity - The continual circulation of the water drives off offensive gases as they are formed. If poor water clarity is caused by either organic particles that are in suspension or solution, increasing the dissolved oxygen content of the water will promote oxidation and bacterial digestion of the organic material.

I am willing to supply one aerator to an affected tank, plumbing costs and timer included, if the owner is prepared to isolate one tank and run their pump for a specific period of time per day to see firstly, if this method will improve the quality of water and secondly, how long it takes. I will take samples and get the water tested regularly. If the system works however, the owner should be prepared to pay costs of plumbing and timers, the aerator would be a gift to say thanks.

Please contact Tim Marshall on 0438 043 100 during normal working hours to discuss this proposal.

NOTICE

This notice is to inform the residents of Scotland Island why Council has installed the new wharf signage on this wharf.

Council has a ‘duty of care’ to its residents and visitors to inform them of known dangers or potential risks in all areas owned, or under the care, control and management of Council.

The placement of signs at the wharves on Scotland Island has been to meet the requirements placed on Council by its Insurers regarding Public Liability.

Council appreciates your cooperation in this matter. Should you have any enquiries, please contact Mr John Berry, Council’s Senior Officer, Building Services on 9970 1370.
 

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The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the Scotland Island Residents Association, or any of the associated Pittwater Offshore Resident's Committees