American Water partners with LG Sonic to eliminate algae bloom in water treatment plants

American Water has entered into a partnership with LG Sonic for a new project to monitor and control algae blooms in water treatment facilities.

The initiative is in line with American Water’s Innovation Development Process, under which the US-based water utility intends to promote innovation and support new product developments.

American Water director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship Mark LeChevallier said: "This project proved to be a great example of how American Water is committed to protecting the environment, and to finding ways to use our most precious resource wisely.

"As a leader in researching and deploying water industry innovations, American Water is committed to using technologies that help us increase our efficiencies and the value of the water services we provide to our customers."

Solar-powered ultrasonic algae control buoy, termed as MPC-Buoy, from LG Sonic enables incessant transmission of ultrasonic waves which helps in disruption of algal cells and makes them sink to prevent proliferation.

New Jersey American Water had four such buoys installed in the Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in New Jersey. The solution is equipped with multiple features including online water quality monitoring, web-based software and ultrasound technology which can eliminate the chance of undesirable taste and odours.

The sustainable system, which is entirely based on solar power, is also claimed to be safe for fish and other wildlife, American Water said.

During the 2014 tests conducted prior to its first installation in North America, the system had been proven successful in reducing chemical consumption of the algae by over 20%, thus controlling its bloom. The tests were also able to decrease the concentration of compounds in treated water that cause undesirable taste and odour.

The water and wastewater utility intends to buy similar buoys for other reservoirs that have been affected by algae, and also wants to use the technology for other purposes including clarification basins, waste backwash lagoons and wastewater/reuse applications.