The Floridian town of Wellington used to spend nearly 7,000 USD a month of taxpayer funds to keep the stagnant pools of foreclosed homes sanitary. Not anymore however, since they have enlisted the aid of some very unusual pool boys – algae eating catfish.

At a typical home, officials now drop 15 catfish in the pool instead of using chemicals to keep the water clear.

“Some of us got clever and decided to try the algae eating fish,” code enforcement officer Debra Mitchell told NBC affiliate WPTV-5.

Mitchell hopes that cleaner and more sanitary pools, combined with the lower fees for upkeep, will make the foreclosed Wellington houses more attractive to buyers.