[Lakegeezer]

There will always be scofflaws, but the problem is bigger than that. It would help if the hardware stores make it clear, and even advertised which bags of lawn treatments are ok for lakeside use. The nutrient load models assume that 10% of septic systems are failed, so water quality would improve if shorefront owners pumped their system a bit more often and replace failed systems. It would help if everyone in the Winnipesaukee watershed would slow rainwater down just a bit as it passes through their properties, so more would be absorbed into the ground. To misuse a phrase, "it takes a thousand drops of water".

There isn't funding or support for enforcement, unless there is a complaint. Few want to rat out their neighbors, but increased peer pressure and shame might be effective. Landscape companies that violate the fertilizer laws should be called out and reported to town officials and DES. They know better.

What else would work? How can watershed residents, weekenders, tourists and landscapers be efficiently educated to the cause and effect, and sparked to do their part. Discussion on the forum is a good start.

We'll never get the lake to the quality to what it would be if the land was undeveloped, but slowing down the decline might be possible if everyone does their part.