Nutrients at the bottom of a pond allow for algae to grow, but when too much algae spreads across a pond, those nutrients become problematic.
Newark start-up Linne Industries has a solution to control algae bloom populations and mosquitos, ultimately improving water quality.
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.
Ponds support wildlife and planting. But in the state's Best Management Practices for Small Ponds, Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said many of them become “eyesores” if they are not properly maintained
That’s why DNREC suggests algae control using herbicides or using rakes to remove algae from the surface.
PondHawk is different as it takes energy from solar panels and powers a compressor. The compressor bubbles air through the water, forcing it up.
It’s been adopted by the Rehoboth Beach Country Club which now has two systems in place. Burton said golf courses and country clubs across 13 other states have also bought the product.
Delaware Public Media reached out to the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, but did not hear from them by the time of publication.
