Pond’s low water blamed for dead fish near Encore

By: Al Wicklund
   MONROE — Dead fish in a pond between the Encore Planned Retirement Community and Prospect Plains Road probably were caused by the lowering of the water level in the pond.
   Richard Spilatore of the Middlesex County Board of Health said Thursday his staff has checked for contamination and ruled out that possibility.
   Residents of homes on or near Prospect Plains Road reported seeing dead fish on May 16. They were concerned that a well–drilling operation by the township Municipal Utilities Authority might have been the cause.
   Mike Rogers, MUA executive director, said his crew in the field reported that nothing in their operation would have endangered the fish.
   Mr. Spilatore said investigations by Board of Health staff and a state biologist indicate water drained from the pond by construction workers at Encore may have reduced the oxygen levels and possibly contributed to the death of an estimated 75 to 100 calico bass.
   He said tests have shown the quality of the water is improving.
   He said the current rain could help hasten the restoration of higher water levels in the pond.
   The Encore community is planned for some 400 living units, a few of the units, perhaps 30 to 50, have been occupied, Mr. Rogers said.