Dear Editor:

In Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, a vain emperor paraded through town in “magnificent” garments woven from nothing at all. The crowd, fearful of speaking the truth, cheered his invisible finery — until a child pointed out the obvious. 

Pumping from Knickerbocker Lake, the Water District meets compliant water quality test results while the lake levels and resulting environmental health itself is neglected. Residents deserve more than good numbers and some odors. Knickerbocker shorelines are overgrown with emergent vegetation, likely caused by unusually low water levels — a clear sign that water levels, quantity and lake management are being ignored. Passing water quality criteria may look magnificent when paraded through town but they do not ensure a sustainable lake water supply for the community. 

Residents deserve more than water quality efforts for Knickerbocker lakes. Transparent proactive resource management, long-term planning, conservation actions, and attention to environmental triggers are essential. The region is growing, adding stress to the system and the islands are experiencing saltwater intrusion. Knickerbocker is clearly stressed while a warming climate increases the risk of regular droughts. Without an honest schedule and one of the many public forums addressing quantity not just quality, what currently passes for “success” may quickly become failure. 

Admiring the finery is easy; addressing very real visible risks is harder. Knickerbocker Lake is not just scenic — it is half the lifeblood of our only public water supply, and its management demands serious attention. 

The emperor may dazzle in invisible robes, but Knickerbocker Lake and Adams Pond reservoirs cannot wait for our children to point out the obvious. 

Andy Cozzi

Boothbay