October 26, 2015 | Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble: Soap in the Fountain

In just a few weeks, the Fountain at The Circle will be decorated for the holidays, complete with festive lighting and (faux) evergreen garlands. This morning, the fountain was turned into what looked like a winter snowscape: Someone tossed an entire bottle of dishwashing soap (Trader Joe’s brand, by the way) into the pool, creating a giant bubble bath — and a big problem.

When this happens, the hardworking volunteers who help look after the fountain have to shut things down, try to remove as much of the foam in the water as possible, and add a de-foaming agent to try to eliminate the rest. If that doesn’t work, it means the fountain might have to be drained and cleaned, which in this time of drought is a prospect we really want to avoid. The fountain recirculates the water it uses, meaning most of the time, the only water being replaced is the small amount that evaporates through use.

So please, help us keep that worst-case scenario from happening. If you see anyone tossing anything into the fountain (aside from coins, which FOFW gathers and puts toward its maintenance fund), please intervene, or contact us at fountainandwalk@gmail.com so we can act quickly.

The fountain is your community treasure. Please help keep it flowing in fine shape. Thanks.