Some Lacombe Lake area residents and users of the lake are not impressed with an application before Alberta Environment, which seeks the approval for the Town of Blackfalds to divert some storm water into the lake.

Anita Alexander grew up on the lake, and is leading the charge to sign a petition which expresses their objections to the plan, and asks Blackfalds, Lacombe County, and Alberta Environment and parks to consider other alternatives.

Alexander was at the Lacombe Community Market last night collecting signatures, and she says the lake is utilized by a variety of people and wildlife.

Alexander says despite the Town of Blackfalds plans to treat the storm water, running it into the south end of the lake near the natural springs would be detrimental to what she calls a Parkland gem.

She talks about how little time they had to make their voices heard, which is why she is pushing hard with the petition.

"It really surprised us too, as we are on the lake, and we haven't had a lot of time to respond to it, but we sure sprung into action. We wrote letter, we were given 30 days to make our concerns known, and that deadline has passed, and after that we thought, well I guess the rest of the world actually doesn't know what could happen to this beautiful, pristine lake."

Storm water can carry phosphorous and nitrogen from lawn fertilizer run off, and toxins from vehicles that wash off streets, plus Lacombe Lake is already experiencing high water levels.

After last night, they have collected more than 5 thousand signatures.

Alexander is meeting with a member of Alberta Environment and Parks sometime today in Red Deer to discuss the issue.

There is no word yet on when a decision will be made.

View our previous story about the Town of Blackfalds plans to divert storm water in Lacombe Lake here: https://www.lacombeonline.com/local/open-house-tonight-on-water-diversion-licenses-impacting-lacombe-lake