Ultrasonic Water Quality Project
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Business
American Water partnerswith LG Sonic to perform ultrasonic algae control in water treatment plants
The company's solar-powered ultrasonic algae control buoys, called the MPC-Buoy, transmit ultrasonic waves continuously to disrupt algal cells, causing them to sink and preventing proliferation. Four of these buoys were recently installed in Reservoir No. 1 at the Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Short Hills, New Jersey, which is operated by American Water's New Jersey subsidiary, New Jersey American Water.
This was the first installation of this technology for drinking water reservoirs in North America. This new system combines continuous online water quality monitoring, web-based software and ultrasound technology to better prevent taste and odor events from occurring. Additionally, in keeping with American Water's sustainability efforts, this system operates 100 percent on solar power and the technology will not harm fish or other wildlife.
Extensive testing conducted during 2014 showed that the buoys had a significant impact on the algae, allowing the plant to reduce chemical consumption by more than 20 percent, and reducing the concentration of undesirable taste and odor causing compounds in the treated water delivered to customers.
Based on the results of this study, American Water plans to purchase buoys for other reservoirs impacted by algae and is looking at other uses including, clarification basins, waste backwash lagoons and wastewater/reuse applications.
American Water is the parent company of Missouri American, which provides water to Joplin and many other communities in Missouri.
Source: The Joplin Globe
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