In Short Hills: American Water Experiments with Ultrasonic Algae Control

There may be a new way to combat unwanted algae growth in drinking water reservoirs… ultrasonic technology.

Recently, American Water, which provides Millburn and Short Hill’s drinking water, installed four solar-powered ultrasonic algae control buoys – otherwise known as the “MPC-Buoy” – at the Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Short Hills.

The installation was the first use of this technology for drinking water reservoirs in North America, according to a release.

The buoys work by transmitting continuous ultrasonic waves to disrupt algal cells, causing them to sink and preventing proliferation. This new system combines continuous online water quality monitoring, web-based software and ultrasound technology to prevent “taste and odor events” from occurring.

The system operates entirely on solar power, and the technology will not harm fish or other wildlife, stated American Water.

According to the utility:

“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.

“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,” stated Mark LeChevallier, Director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship.

Send Millburn-Short Hills news tips and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com