A one-acre golf course pond in Laurel, New Jersey, serving as both a stormwater basin and aesthetic feature, experienced persistent blooms of lyngbya and pithophora algae. These blooms produced unpleasant odors, reduced visual appeal, and generated complaints from nearby residents and golfers.

Despite routine algaecide applications, aeration via a high-volume fountain, and continuous inflow, nutrient loading from surrounding springs and watershed sources continued to drive excessive algae growth. Water quality testing confirmed total phosphorus concentrations far above hyper-eutrophic thresholds, with inflow levels exceeding healthy standards by more than sevenfold—indicating that nutrient inputs, not just algae, were the root cause of the problem.

Beginning in April 2022, managers shifted to a comprehensive nutrient management strategy focused on reducing phosphorus at its source. EutroSORB® F filtration units were installed at major inflow points to intercept incoming phosphorus before it entered the pond.

Within the pond, a season-long program of EutroSORB WC applications was implemented, starting with an initial higher-dose treatment followed by five maintenance applications throughout the growing season. SeClear® was applied three times during the summer to control existing algae while nutrient levels were being reduced.

To evaluate effectiveness, water quality was monitored at inflow locations and within the pond through multiple sampling events, tracking changes in phosphorus concentrations and overall conditions over time.