Some Effects of Rotenone Products on Municipal Water Supplies

Abstract
Five coves of Lake Lavon and a small lake in north‐central Texas were treated with five different rotenone products. Of 18 water tests made before, during, and after treatments, four showed significant change. Turbidity decreased and plankton and bacterial counts increased. The most important change was in taste and odor of treated waters. Rotenone products, such as Noxfish, Chem Fish Regular HFN, and Chem Fish Special HFN, produce undesirable tastes and odors in water. A temporary taste and odor from decomposition of the fish killed can also be expected after treatment. Laboratory tests showed these conditions can be controlled with 1.0 p.p.m. of activated carbon or each threshold odor number produced. Rotenone treatments may cost water plants an additional $60 to $95 per million gallons of water produced during the first few days after application. Rotenone powder and Chem Fish Synergized HFN were the first and second choices or municipal waters because taste and odor problems are reduced and costs are lower. Spring and all were found the best seasons for municipal lake treatments in Texas.

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