Dam odour, sludge, algae, weed or dying fish are often attributed to a lack of oxygen in the water. Natural lakes naturally cleanse themselves in autumn and spring in line with changes in temperature. During this turnover, low-oxygen bottom waters mix with oxygen-rich surface waters, increasing the overall amount of oxygen. This increase kick starts water cleansing bacteria that process organic pollutants.Man-made waterbodies usually have more organic pollutants and less natural flushing than their natural counterparts so a need for oxygen is greater.

Overall, aeration is the strongest implementation to a waterbody for both mid and long term benefit.

Aeration systems need to be designed according to factors such as the volume, depth and temperature of water; salinity, atmospheric pressure as well as factors unique to the site, such as power supply, noise requirements, maintenance, security and aesthetics.

Water Quality Solutions takes the guess work out of this process and works alongside your team to find the best outcome. We consider ourselves aeration experts and have the testimonials to prove it.

Water Quality Solutions understands that when it comes to algae, chemical applications are a ‘necessary evil’, but at the end of the day we set a precedence on environmentally friendly irradiation methods. Algae is often the symptom of an underlying problem so we investigate the cause first and foremost.

The discovery phase includes understanding the unique circumstances that will influence our recommend solution. It doesn’t make sense to offer a chemical treatment to someone when their water overflows into a river full of platypus, nor does it make sense to suggest designing aeration to a client with a lakeside wedding reception in three days time!

Some recommended options for algae control:

Aeration

Biological water treatments

Floating Wetlands

Nutrient Reduction

Algae requires temperature, food and sunlight to grow. Reducing algae’s food source is ultimately the best treatment method, tackling the underlying problem found in most dams – too much nutrients (eutrophication). The main nutrient sources for algae are nitrogen and phosphorus, decomposing leaves, animal waste and storm water inputs. Nitrogen can be removed from water naturally by combining aeration and biological water treatments. This combo boosts beneficial bacteria that then converts nitrogen into a gas that escapes into the atmosphere. Beneficial bacteria can take care of phosphorus by locking it up in their cell structure making it unavailable for algae. This process is assisted by biological water treatments and flocculant that can be sprayed over the surface causing the phosphorus to sink, making it less available to algae.

Sunlight reduction

Limiting the amount of sunlight can help with some types of algae control, especially filamentous species and some of the smaller types such as planktonic algae. Lake dyes turn water blue or black and reduce the amount of sunlight available to plants and algae. A treatment in late winter can be useful to prevent the first onslaught of algae as the water warms.

Ultrasonic

Many types of algae have an internal buoyancy chamber that allows them to float. These chambers can be broken with ultrasonic frequencies in a similar way that a crystal glass can be shattered by the right sound wave. With the buoyancy chamber gone, the algae sinks to the bottom. Not all algae have buoyancy chambers and different algae is effected by different frequencies so it’s important to choose equipment with a wide range and use them in conjunction with nutrient reduction methods for best results.

Chemical water treatments

Copper is the most commonly used algaecide but copper sulphate has been replaced with safer chelated copper products that are less damaging to the aquatic environment. Other chemical treatments to combat algae include Clearwater Flocculant that can bind and sink phosphorus removing it as a food for algae; Algae Lift, a peroxygen chemistry used to bleach the Chlorophyll-a found in algae, making it susceptible to attack from naturally occurring bacteria.

Fish Stocking

Silver Perch are a native fish that are effective at grazing on filamentous algae. This however, is site specific because if more preferable food is available they’ll probably eat that first. Fish have tastes too!

Controlling algae successfully over the long term is about manipulating the environment it grows in. Water Quality Solutions will make sure you reach a decision that best suits your organisation.

Biological water treatments

These treatments increase the biological activity and effectiveness of beneficial microbes (mostly bacteria) in the waterbody. These organisms out-compete algae, weeds and odour producing bacteria for available nutrients. They either digest the nutrients into elements such as water, hydrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide or take them up as part of their own cell structure.

These beneficial bacteria are actually naturally occurring, but in man-made waterbodies there’s too much organic waste for the indigenous bacteria to process. So the aim is to grow more beneficial bacteria and less algae/ aquatic weeds.

Biological water treatments can be either all purpose or highly specialised to target problems such as sludge reduction, odour control, ammonia reduction, clarifying water (flocculant) or even degrading rotting vegetation after an algaecide or herbicide application. To better understand biological water treatments call us on 1300 283 387.

Dam Liner Installation

Water Quality Solutions are experienced with large scale dam liner installation using a variety of materials such as EPDM, HDPE, LLDPE, PVC, polyethylene, GCL and Bitumen. Each has its own advantages and specific uses, ie; liner for repairing a leaking dam will differ from liner for a new dam. There are many choices in this field so we help make the process as transparent as possible.

Man-made waterbodies eventually accumulate more nutrients than they can process, resulting in an excessive algae or aquatic weeds. Floating wetlands are an effective tool for soaking up nutrients in aquatic systems making them unavailable for algae or aquatic weeds. Floating wetland panels float on the surface of the water and are planted with selective species of wetland plants. As these plants grow their root system penetrates the water taking nutrients in order to survive.

Floating treatment wetlands are a low-tech are favoured by municipal bodies and are a low-tech tool to strip nutrients from any waterbody.

Floating wetlands can:

Clarify water

Absorb heavy metals

Remove dissolved organic matter

Reduce odour

Suppress wave action and bank erosion

Provide a habitat for fish and birds

Reduce evaporation and

Create an aesthetic feature for the public

The modular design of our floating wetland panels mean they’re easy to ship on standard sized shipping pellets and are easy to install with no cranes or other equipment other than a small boat or kayak required.

Newborn floating wetlands installed in La Trobe Valley

In this niche industry, working with a consultant will save time, money and effort. When managing a waterbody, one needs to think about both the situation at hand and the effects this decision making will have in the years ahead. Water Quality Solutions will discuss your goals, look at site specific circumstances, give thought, raise issues and awareness and provide a range of recommendations to assist you in your choice of action. If you want to implement any of our recommendations, we can provide professional installation or maintenance services in any location.

The Water Quality Solutions crew consistently develops their skills via attending conferences and undertaking project work with some of the best lake management companies. When hiring us you get the benefit of years of academic training and access to our vast network of experts.

Solar powered aeration are a people pleaser that will set you free from electricity bills, service interruptions or the concern of mixing wiring and water. We stock all-in-one solar systems that are powerful enough for your needs and provide long-term sustainability .

Water Quality Solutions have been working with solar aeration systems for many years and our range is steadily increasing to meet demand.

Unwanted growth of algae or biofilms in pipes and sprinklers cause havoc for irrigation systems. Even filters designed to screen out particles don’t offer much protection when bacteria, algae or fungus are growing on the filters themselves.

Water Quality Solutions adopt methods to reduce unwanted growth in dams as well as the pumps, filters, pipes and sprinklers that move water out of them. Solutions include:

Supply of flocculants and biologicals

Aquatically registered algaecides & herbicides

Iron and sludge reduction

Clearing weeds from suction points

We’ve made many a Golf Course Superintendent and Nurseryperson happy because they’re no longer spending hours tending to blockages and equipment failures!