Grant: Engage Plus Grants Program

There exist few technologies worldwide for the treatment of large areas of polluted salt and freshwaters. It isproposed to develop a filtration technology with geotextile technology with Titan for the conditions offreshwater for the removal of cyanobacteria, algae and nutrients. This could then be used for in situ treatmentof lakes, ponds, and rivers. The main objective is to develop a system for the in-situ restoration, management,and control of water quality to reduce incidences of cyanobacteria blooms through nutrient reduction to lowerthan eutrophic levels. The short-term objectives are to determine factors that influence the suspended solids(SS), nutrient (P) and other contaminant removal efficiency and to determine the parameters for systemscale-up over the seasonal variations. This continuation of the Engage project is scheduled for 6 months. In thefirst Engage phase in the laboratory, the initial concentration of TP in the lake water indicates poor waterquality in a eutrophic state. Using various combinations of geotextile filters allowed the TP content todecrease. The first step of the Engage Plus work is the development of the filtration system for removal ofnutrients for on-site filtration. Nonwoven geotextiles (Titan Environmental Containment Ltd.) will be used asthe filter materials for nutrient removal. Various pore size geotextiles will be evaluated, in addition to variousadditives to enhance adsorption capability without clogging. It is proposed to install one or two pilot units onthe shore of Lac Caron (an alternative location will be chosen if there are problems with installing the unitthere or in addition, such as Lac Johanne). The trials will determine the system efficiency in the conditionsparticular to Quebec (quality of water and climate). Filtration tests will determine removal of organic matter,SS, nutrients, cyanobacteria, bacteria and toxin levels. Development of the filtration module will significantlyexpand the applicability of the geotextile for surface water treatments. The protection and improvement of thewater quality by nutrient reduction will improve the aesthetics of the water, health of the community and allowthe water to be used for recreational purposes and will ensure the protection of the property values.