UPDATE (Thursday, July 15, 2021): Due to the lake levels being unusually high, this herbicide treatment planned for this week in Lake Zoar is being postponed to a future date that is yet to be determined.

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A quick social network post from a local resident prompted The Newtown Bee to reach out and learn that several areas of Lake Zoar in Newtown and neighboring Monroe and Oxford will be treated with a common herbicide for controlling nuisance water plants. Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert subsequently told The Bee that the process creates some restrictions but swimming and fishing can still happen in those isolated spots.

Other restrictions are noted on a warning notice that has been posted in the areas where the applications are planned either Wednesday, July 14, or if rain is in the forecast, on July 15.

Additional details are posted on the Lake Zoar Authority website (lakezoarauthority.org).

The authority notes that in accordance with CT DEEP's Pesticide Division notification requirements, it is advising adjacent lake users and residents that selected areas of Lake Zoar will be chemically treated with Reward (Diquat) herbicide and Copper Sulfate, targeting control the aquatic nuisance plants Eurasian watermilfoil and curlyleaf pondweed.

The first annual treatment is scheduled for Wednesday, July 14, with a rain date of Thursday, July 15. PThe lake shoreline in the treatment areas and at public access sites have been posted with printed signs in accordance with DEEP requirements.

The shorelines of treated areas will be posted with signs that list the following temporary water use restrictions to be imposed in treated areas:

*Swimming, boating, and fishing, no restrictions;

*No use of treated lake water for drinking purposes for three days;

*No use of treated lake water for livestock consumption for one day;

*No use of treated lake water for irrigation for three days.

The authority states that these temporary water use restrictions apply only to the areas treated and affected by treatment. The chemical application is being conducted by the State licensed firm, SOLitude Lake Management, of 590 Lake Street, Shrewsbury, Mass.

The US EPA fact sheet on Copper Sulfate states that there are no human health risks of concern for dietary (food and drinking water) exposures to the pesticidal uses of copper. However, some of the various copper compounds and formulations may cause some dermal or eye irritation. Copper is registered for use on numerous aquatic use sites.

A similar EPA fact sheet on Diquat Dibromide TRED states Diquat dibromide exhibits low acute toxicity via the oral and inhalation routes of exposure, but exhibits moderate to severe acute toxicity via the dermal route of exposure. Diquat dibromide is not an acute skin irritant, nor a dermal sensitizer, but it is considered a moderate to severe eye irritant.

Also this chemical has no mutagenic or genotoxicity activity, it is not a carcinogen, and there is no evidence of endocrine disruption upon exposure to diquat dibromide.

Specific questions can be directed to SOLitude Lake Management by calling 508-865-1000. The LZA can be reached at lakezoar@gmail.com or through its website.

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Editor John Voket can be reached at editor@thebee.com.