Each year, as temperatures rise, algae shows up. Phones ring. Treatments go out. For a while, everything looks fine. But when next season rolls around, the same problems return—often with a vengeance.
Traditional treatments not only fall short of solving the long-term problem, they actually compound the annual algae bloom. Fortunately, Oase has developed a proactive, preventative process that addresses algae from the bottom up. And because it’s natural, non-pesticidal, and requires no special licensing, it opens the door for contractors who have historically avoided lake and pond work.
This isn’t just a better treatment—it’s a different way of thinking about lake management, and there’s a real opportunity for contractors to lead that shift.
The Fatal Flaw in Traditional Algae Control
Most algae treatments are designed to solve what clients see: green water, surface scum, and weeds. Algaecides do that job well. Visually, the results can be fast and dramatic.
But what happens next is easy to miss. Dead algae doesn’t disappear—it sinks. Along with leaves, grass clippings, and organic runoff, it settles on the bottom and slowly builds up year after year. That organic layer reduces oxygen at the sediment level, and gradually makes the waterbody shallower and warmer, all of which creates a prime environment for more algae growth.
In other words, many surface treatments solve today’s problem while quietly setting the stage for more issues down the line. After a few seasons, the conversation shifts from “How do we control algae?” to “When do we have to DREDGE?”— an expensive, disruptive process that no one wants to deal with (or smell).
Why Algae Keeps Coming Back
At the root of most algae problems is one thing: nutrients—especially excessive phosphorus.
Phosphorus acts like fertilizer for algae. It enters lakes and ponds naturally through decomposing plants and erosion, but human activity has dramatically increased the load through runoff from fertilized land, failing septic systems, and wastewater discharge. When excess nutrients combine with warm water and built-up organic sediment, algae growth becomes predictable.
As long as that fuel source remains, algae will keep returning—no matter how often it’s treated on the surface.
A Different Way of Thinking About Lake & Pond Management
This is where Oase’s Lake Therapy represents a shift.
Instead of starting at the surface, Lake Therapy starts at the bottom, where nutrients and organic sediment are driving algae growth. It’s a preventative, proactive approach that focuses on changing the conditions that allow algae to dominate in the first place.
Lake Therapy does three things:
It reduces algae’s food source by binding excess nutrients
It helps break down muck and sludge by supporting natural biological processes
It improves overall water balance, making algae harder to sustain
Rather than reacting to what shows up, the goal is to keep lakes and ponds from reaching that tipping point in the first place.
This approach works with nature, not against it. There are no harsh residues left behind and no risk of overdosing—just steady, system-level improvement over time.
A Contractor-friendly Way Forward
Increased algae blooms have created a real tension in the market: customers want better results, but they’re increasingly wary of chemicals. That tension is actually an opportunity for contractors.
Traditional algae control comes with baggage: chemical concerns, public perception issues, and the cost and hassle of special applicator licensing. For most contractors, that alone is enough reason to stay away from lakes and ponds altogether.
But Lake Therapy changes the equation.
Because it’s organic and non-pesticidal, no special applicator licensing is required. That lowers the barrier to entry, simplifies training and reduces regulatory headaches.
Just as important, it changes the conversation with customers. Instead of defending chemical use or fielding concerns about fish health and environmental impact, contractors can offer a solution that aligns with what clients already want: healthier water, fewer chemicals, and an environmentally responsible approach.
In short, Lake Therapy presents a wide-open opportunity for contractors because it’s more effective, it’s environmentally friendly, and no additional licensing is required.
Explore Next Steps
Algae will always exist. Lake Therapy is an opportunity for contractors to provide a long-term solution to beautiful ponds and lakes that are healthy and in natural balance. It’s about solving the problem beneath the surface. And contractors are in the best position to lead that shift.
👉 Contact Our Team to learn more
👉 Explore Real-World Results in these Case Studies
👉 Take a deeper dive on the Oase Lake Therapy Blog