Wendy Sherman turned her back on me and fussed over one of the Gere’s granddaughters.
Amelia Hunter spoke up, “Construction will start sometime in September, I’m told.” I’d learned that Amelia usually had the best information and could communicate it without judgment or inappropriate emotional outbursts. “Some of the septic tanks on this side of the lake are failing or have failed so the county is insisting we all connect to the sewer.”
Amelia’s explanation ended the rational information on the topic of sewers. My neighbors divided into loud groups.
Glen Larkin loudly complained, “It’s this side of the lake that doesn’t perk. Your systems failed so those on our side have to put up with your crap in the water and pay to connect to sewers. Our soil is nice and loose. Perks just fine.”
I thought about all the water I’d swallowed while swimming and felt a grimace growing on my face.
Art Smith shot back, “The company doing the testing didn’t know what they were doing. They took samples at the water’s edge where of course there’s decaying matter in the water.”
I felt marginally better then remembered the night the water had been disturbed when Traci’s body had been pulled from the lake.
Chris Hull said, “The county should mind their own business. Those of us who only come out on the weekends shouldn’t have to pay for the pollution the rest of you create.”
Zach Carter tried for a middle ground. “It will benefit all of us to have the lake cleaned up. We’ve had some minor algae blooms in front of our house. That is a bad sign.”
Chris tried to patiently explain to Zach, “But it’s none of the county’s business. The algae bloom is natural – good ol’ Mother Nature keeping things in balance.”
I don’t know where my son got his evil streak. Trevor replied to Chris, “But, the algae bloom takes oxygen out of the water and kills the fish.”
Art Smith turned red. “Some of us worked hard stocking this lake and put some big money into those fish, and people like you don’t give a damn about your neighbors.” He got in Chris’s face.
Russ Gere who should have known better said, “I wonder how much pollution we pick up from the submarine base. Who knows what they dump in the slough?”
Jim Black quickly agreed, “Yeah, if there is any pollution in the lake it isn’t coming from a dozen or so houses. Bet it comes from the county park and the submarine base.”
Chris growled, “First the government dumps God-knows-what in the water then they come after us to put in sewers. Probably picked up some bribes from another fly-by-night contractor.”
Since the slough lies slightly lower than the lake and the submarine base even lower, I highly doubted the navy could be responsible for our pollution, but bashing the government is always good sport, so I kept my mouth shut and let my neighbors enjoy their argument.