Albert Lea city staff are asking lakeshore residents for their input on chemically treating Fountain Lake for algae blooms using a copper sulfate product.

Starting this week, city staff will be placing hangers on the doors of homes that border Fountain Lake, including information that pertains to lake treatment and what people need to do if they are in favor of it.

To treat Fountain Lake for algae blooms using a copper sulfate product, the city has to submit an application to the Department of Natural Resources, accompanied by dated signatures from a majority of the property owners around the lake. Signatures must be obtained every three years or when there is a change in property ownership.

This past summer, the Albert Lea City Council voted to let the lake go without treatment, following much controversy as to whether it should be treated with copper sulfate to reduce its green hue.

Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Director Jay Hutchison said city staff decided to move forward and get signatures ahead of time this year so if they decide to submit the application for chemical treatment of the lake next summer everything will already be in place. He anticipated if the application is submitted, it would be submitted in May.

Whether the city treats the lake next year ultimately depends on what the lake is like and what the Albert Lea City Council decides, Hutchison said.

If people are in favor of treating the lake, they need to go to the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Office at City Arena and sign the petition by Dec. 1. Only people who own property directly adjacent to the lake are able to sign the petition.

People who are not in favor of the treatment do not need to sign.

Contact Hutchison at 377-4370 for more questions.