Foreclosure Fallout Spawns Green Pools

Western states such as California and Arizona are dealing with another consequence of foreclosures and vacant houses: green pools. These pools have been left neglect and have become incubators for algae and mosquito breeding grounds, which could result in the spread of the West Nile virus.

Communities are starting to send out officials to deal with the issue and try to clean up the mess, or at least control it. In Las Vegas environmental health specialist respond to pool complaint with mosquitofish, a inches-long creature that can survive in stagnant water and feast on mosquito larvae. According to the LA Times officials are expected to respond to 14,000 pool complaints in Maricopa County, Ariz., which includes Phoenix.

In San Diego officials fly over neighborhoods in helicopters to locate stagnant pools. This year San Diego County's Vector Control Program has already found more than 900 'green pools.' They also use mosquitofish to control the problem "Without fish technicians we would have to make return trips and check and treat repeatedly, whereas with the fish they can keep it under control for long term," said technician Steve Rivera .

Communities are also dealing with the issue with limited staffs and budgets as they try to find the homeowner or bank responsible for the property.