Mishawaka apartment resident raises concerns over algae-filled pool

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- A resident of a Mishawaka apartment complex says an algae-covered swimming pool became a potential health and safety hazard before management began cleaning it after concerns gained attention on social media.

Anne-Marie Stanley, who has lived at River 109 Apartments for three years and owns nearby business Massage with Anne-Marie, said conditions at the complex have deteriorated since new ownership took over in 2025.

She said residents have dealt with multiple issues, including construction done without permits, rent increases, and recurring problems with the property's swimming pool.

"You couldn't see through it anymore," Stanley said. "I thought to myself, what if someone did get in there, a child got in there or any other person, and fell? You wouldn't even know it."

Stanley said the pool became covered in algae, similar to what she said happened last year.

"I just got to thinking, this is becoming a pond," she said.

Her concerns extended beyond the unusable pool. Stanley worried stagnant water could attract mosquitoes after Elkhart County reported mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus last week.

Stanley said she contacted the St. Joseph County Health Department about the conditions. According to Stanley, the department told her it contacted apartment management but did not conduct an on-site inspection.

"With the health department's response that they couldn't even be bothered to send out an inspector, and with West Nile virus being a factor in our community, it felt really dismissive," she said.

After months of contacting local officials, Stanley turned to social media, where photos of the pool drew widespread attention.

"We weren't wanting to go to social media," Stanley said. "It's a little bit embarrassing to talk about your community in a negative light."

Stanley believes cleanup efforts began after her post gained traction online.

In a statement to ABC57, the property's owner, Strategic Management Solutions, said the delay was caused by a vendor backing out of opening the pool at the last minute. The company said a new vendor began work this week and expects to open the pool next week.

Strategic Management Solutions also said resident health and safety are a top priority and that the pool water will be tested daily once it opens.

Stanley said she hopes the situation leads to lasting improvements for all residents at the complex.

"Mishawaka is a great community," she said. "I love living here. It's my adopted hometown now, and I want to continue to stay here and feel that even those of us who are renters and not property owners are an important part of the community."