Greg Bruhn: SolarBees a waste of time, money

On July 27, 2014, The News & Observer published a Dwane Powell cartoon I consider to be one his masterpieces.

The illustration was in response to the ill-advised legislation to place SolarBees in Jordan Lake to combat extensive algae growth resulting from excess nutrients in the Haw River watershed. Powell’s drawing depicts Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, then-House Speaker Thom Tillis and Gov. Pat McCrory standing in Jordan Lake, in water that ranges from thigh- to waist-deep while churning up the water with hand-cranked eggbeaters. Then-DENR Secretary John Skvarla is shown in the background tearing up a copy of expired water quality regulations.

Regarding the April 13 Focus article “Report critical of SolarBees goes online, then disappears”: SolarBees are nothing more than expensive oversized gadgets that are the equivalent of placing a bandage on a growing malignancy.

Jordan Lake receives water from 10 Piedmont counties that are experiencing both increased demands for potable water and unbridled growth.

Jordan’s water quality issue results from the nutrients that originate from sources as diverse as wastewater treatment plants, runoff from farming operations, residential lawns, golf courses and construction projects.

The ubiquitous Carolina red clay, if allowed to erode, is an effective transporter of nutrients and over time can greatly diminish Jordan’s water holding capacity.

This story was originally published April 23, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Greg Bruhn: SolarBees a waste of time, money."