Georgian Court University senior Jennifer Mattiello was doing her part Saturday to make sure that Lake Carasaljo, which borders the college, stays as clean as possible. Mattiello took part in a cleanup around the lake sponsored by the university and the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority.”You have to do what you can to make sure that it stays clean,” Mattiello said. “It’s important to take part in these types of events.” Louise Wooton, a professor of biology at Georgian Court, said the university community tries to do its best to make sure the lake stays clean. “We take great pride in the lake,” Wooton said. “We look at it as our lake.” The cleanup of the lake has been a tradition at the school, Wooton said. “We have been doing this for at least two decades,” Wooton said. “Every year around Earth Day, we come out and do this.”

Cleanups help bring attention to keeping water supplies clean, said Robert Karl, source water supervisor for the Brick utilities authority.

“Anytime that you can bring attention to keeping waterways clean, it’s a good thing,” Karl said. “Fresh water is important to the township water system. Approximately 80 percent of Brick’s water comes from the Metedeconk River (which connects to the lake), and we all have to do our best to protect that.”

The cleanup drew about 35 participants, including members of Girl Scout Troop 1266 in Brick and the Holy Family School Junior National Honor Society in Lakewood.

Meaghan Ireland, a university senior, said the event is a good way to get the word out about keeping the waterways clean.

“We all have a responsibility to keep the lake clean,” Ireland said. “It’s important to take part in these type of events. You want to give back as much as you can.”

“We have to make sure that all waterways are clean. It’s important to everyone,” Ireland added. APP