Williston, Vt. - Lake Iroquois in Williston and Hinesburg is up against some environmental issues.
The Lake Iroquois Association says the lake has high levels of phosphorus which can create unhealthy amounts if algae in the lake. And to make matters worse, many of the homes a long the lake may not be helping the water quality.
A lot of Lake Iroquois' lake front homes are closer to the water than they are supposed to be. That is because they were built before current zoning regulations. Now, some of the homeowners want to expand. And the towns of Williston and Hinesburg are trying to manage the situation.
New construction in homes that are too close to the lake could mean run off into the lake. And then there is the issue of septic systems.
"Depending on how well those septic systems are functioning, they could affect the water quality in the lake in a negative way," Williston Planning Director Ken Belliveau said.
That is why Belliveau is going back to the drawing board, holding a public meeting for lakeside residents on July 26.
"Depending on how well those septic systems are functioning, they could affect the water quality in the lake in a negative way," Belliveau said.
Belliveau is already throwing around a few ideas, including giving the lake its own zoning district.
