ANNUAL PROBLEM: This photo of algae forming at the east end of Bronte Marina was taken two summers ago.

It's green, it stinks and at present there appears to be no easy way to get rid of it.

Oakville's seasonal battle with shoreline algae was dealt a blow of disappointment on Tuesday as staff informed the Community Services Committee that efforts to find new technologies for dealing with the unsightly ooze have come up empty.

The filamentous algae Cladophora maintains a considerable presence in the Great Lakes where its growth is fostered by phosphorus placed in the water by wastewater treatment plants and stream or storm water inflows.

The Town of Oakville currently spends about $60,000 a year to remove shoreline algae from 'hot spot' areas where it accumulates.

These locations include the bottom of East Street, just west of the Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park and the shoreline at the bottom of Timber Lane.

This program involves the removal of the algae from the water with pitchforks after which it is allowed to dry and then transported to the landfill.

Staff noted the effectiveness of this program is limited as algae accumulations recur at the whim of waves, wind and possibly fluctuating lake levels.

The Town attempted a more widespread pilot project in 2002 and was successful in removing 180 tonnes of algae from the Oakville shoreline through the use of a weed harvester. However, the project was discontinued because of its cost, $122,400, and because the algae just grew right back.

"Through correspondence with surrounding municipalities, it is evident that this issue is not unique to the town," said Chris Mark, Director of the Parks and Open Space Department, in a report to the committee. "Oakville appears to be the only municipality actually investing resources into collecting accumulated shoreline algae."

When asked how the $60,000 currently going towards algae collection could be better spent, staff noted that the money could be reinvested into water monitoring.

This would allow more data to be collected on the issue, but at a cost of $1,000 per sample it certainly would not be cheap.

Staff also noted there are new technologies on the horizon that one day could rid Oakville of the green menace.

"Clearly there is emerging science-based technology such as permeable reactive mixtures that removes phosphorus from septic systems, wastewater treatment plants and small bodies of water," said Mark.

"Oxidative technologies are being tested, as well, that increase the concentration of dissolving oxygen in water to sustain aerobic microbes and consume nutrients in the water. This technology while promising is untested in larger lakes, but may have an application to near shore enclosed bodies of water."

In the end, the committee voted to cut the problem at its source and directed staff to work with Halton Region and the Province towards reducing the nutrients, like phosphorus, which are flowing into Lake Ontario and feeding the algae.

This item will be voted on by Town Council in the near future.