Startup Improves Pond Water Quality with Solar Energy

Newark start-up Linne Industries has a solution to control algae bloom populations and mosquitos, ultimately improving water quality.

PondHawk® solar-powered pond aeration system

In 2009, Sandra Burton and her husband Craig bought a property in Newark near a pond. 

“It was in really bad condition, so we looked for solutions and discovered the best natural way to solve water quality problems in a pond is to provide sub-surface aeration - essentially bubbling a pond like an aquarium,” Burton said. 

Their product, called  PondHawk , releases air bubbles at the bottom of the water, which adds oxygen to the water. It creates circulation and improves water quality.

“We really didn’t try any other methods because we didn’t have electricity out at our pond and running electricity out to a pond was absolutely cost prohibitive,” Burton said. “Rather than continue to neglect the pond, we wanted to solve the problem and improve the water quality.”

And the rippling on the pond’s surface drowns out algae.

“Every time there’s an algae bloom and you don’t have aeration, that algae then falls to the bottom of the pond,” Burton said. “First, that’s adding nutrients to the bottom. It’s also reducing the amount of capacity that the pond can hold. Each bloom - that’s more muck at the bottom.”

The oxygen also helps to control mosquito populations by killings larvae.

PondHawk® is a long-term solution that deals with problem ponds proactively.

The unique, patented (U.S. Pat. No. 9,290,398) design of the PondHawk was created to fulfill the long-term needs of the pond manager. The construction is durable and reliable, working year-round to aerate the water even under partly-cloudy or freezing conditions.

Because it’s a stand-alone, self-contained system with no connection to the power grid, PondHawk can be installed nearly anywhere, allowing units to be combined to fit any large pond or lagoon.

By minimizing algae and pond scum, subsurface aeration defers dredging by maintaining the capacity, thus increasing the lifespan of the pond.

PondHawk is different as it takes energy from solar panels and powers a compressor. The compressor bubbles air through the water, forcing it up. 

Read more at: Delaware Public Media and LINNE

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Taxonomy

• Aeration
• Technology
• Water Quality
• Algae
• Monitoring & Control
• Water Quality Management
• Monitoring Technology