Algae problem cuts into Ohio town's drinking water
August 27, 2010

Algae blooms are commonly found in lagoons, ponds, and lakes in the summertime when temperature and light conditions are best for encouraging their growth. While algae are a naturally-occuring feature in lakes and other bodies of water, they can be significantly encouraged by the presence of the right set of nutrients -- particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients are in particularly large supply where runoff from fertilizers is in large supply; both agricultural and lawn fertilizers tend to be major suppliers of both nutrients. One major problem with algae growth is that it can remove too much oxygen from the water. In places where surface waters like lakes are used to supply drinking-water systems, algae can also clog the filtration systems that keep the water safe -- and that's exactly what's happening in an Ohio town located on an island in Lake Erie. On a more ordinary basis, many wastewater treatment plants face challenges controlling algae in clarifiers and lagoons. To help control algae, wastewater treatment plants may wish to consider options like clarifier covers (which block light and thus prevent the algae from growing) and perforated screens (which can be very effective at removing algae from the water with high efficiency). Contact us if you're having problems with algae, and we can help you find the right solution for your system.

August 2010
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last revised August 2010