Burnham Lake water turns blue on Valentine’s Day

Ironic so it seems with blue denoting the dismal and the depressing and Valentine’s Day symbolizing joy and romance.

But to the organizers of the “BLUEming of Burnham Lake” project, that contrast is a blur as there is nothing gloomy about picturesque blue lake back-dropping lovers on the day of the hearts.

The project which was ceremonially unveiled last Feb. 14 to the theme, “Let Love BLUEm!” aims to aesthetically transform the lake water’s murky appearance into an enticing blue with the use of an organic water treatment biotechnology.

Department Head Atty. Rhenan Diwas of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) which co-initiated the project with Greener Property and Leisure Management Services, Inc., Tourism Office, the Department of Tourism, Mega Tower and the Baguio Tourism Council said the color transformation is an “aesthetic rendering on the surface of the lake.”

“In the process of application, algal bloom is eliminated along with its obnoxious odor and turbid color caused by decayed algae. Water becomes clear,” he said.

“These bacteria-based probiotics continuously enhance the quality of water by improving its biological oxidation demand (BOD) levels to quality and regulation passing levels with its blue color providing an aesthetic value on the surface. “

Diwas said the blue tint is expected to last for a long time with regular maintenance and barring factors like dumping of food waste and debris and heavy rains that can cause floodwaters to drain into the lake with mud and dirt to boot.

“Otherwise, the technology can be expected to do the job of cleaning and ‘blue-ing’ the lake for a long time with proper and regular maintenance,” Diwas said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo