Water Quality Management 2012

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POND & LAKE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

PRESENTATION

TODAY’S GOAL

• Review factors that impact water quality.- Nutrients, Temperature, Oxygen

• Examine associated problems.- Excessive algal & weed growth,

fish kills, poor clarity, foul odors, insect infestation, sludge build-up.

TODAY’S GOAL CONT’D

• Address problem management methods.

- Mechanical Control- Chemical Control- Biological Control- Aeration

A Healthy Pond

• Balanced Ecosystem

• Problems Absent• Sufficient O2

Levels• Sufficient Aerobic

Bacteria Levels• Fish and other

Aquatic Wildlife Present

Healthy Ponds

Unhealthy Pond

• Out of Balance• High Nutrient

Levels• Aerobic Bacteria

Cannot Keep Pace with Nutrient Loading

• Algae, Weed Growth and Other Problems Appear

Severe Problems

Nutrients

• Carbon Based Compounds Containing Phosphorous and Nitrogen

• Phosphorous is the Greatest Contributor to Aquatic Plant Growth

• Nutrients Come From Several Sources

Nutrient Sources

• Bottom Sediment and Dead Organic Matter are the Primary Sources

• Run-off and Inlet Water are Secondary• Nutrient Cycling Process Contributes

- Eutrophication Occurs• Effluent (Treated Wastewater)• Fertilizer Leaching

Eutrophic Ponds

A eutrophic lake (derived from the Greek, eu meaning 'good' / 'well' and trophic meaning 'food' / 'nutrients') is a lake with high primary productivity the result of high nutrient content

Hypereutrophic Ponds

 lakes are very nutrient-rich 

Temperature Factor

• Thermal Stratification

Oxygen Factor

• Stimulates Aerobic Digestion Process

- Reduces Excess Nutrients

• Supports Food Chain and Entire Ecosystem

How Oxygen Enters A Pond

• Rainfall (Natures Aerator)• Atmospheric Contact and Wind• Photosynthesis by Aquatic Plants

and Algae

Oxygen Depletion

• Stress Occurs When Levels Drop Below 3 to 4 parts per million

• Late Night or Just Before Dawn• Cloudy, Still Days• High Nutrient Content• After Chemical Application

Pond Depth Factor

• Shallow Depths Allow Warming and Greater Sunlight Penetration

• Increased Photozone Accelerates Plant Growth

How The Factors Interact

• As pond ages, nutrient levels rise due to increase in bottom organic sediment, run-off and fertilizer use in surrounding watershed. Algal and aquatic weed growth increase. Algae and weeds die, sink to bottom to decompose. This biomass will increase the aerobic bacteria population, utilizing large amounts of oxygen to digest the organic waste.

How The Factors Interact

• Due to thermal stratification, top and bottom layers will not mix. Oxygen cannot reach the bottom to support aerobic digestion. Oxygen depletion will occur and may cause nutrient cycling, fish kills, and foul odors caused by anaerobic digestion

How The Factors Interact• The water quality of this pond is now

very poor. • Excessive nutrients, poor circulation and

low oxygen levels.• Mosquito and other insect populations

breeding in stagnant, algae covered surface water.

• What Can Be Done To Remedy This?

Solutions• Mechanical

- Dredging- Raking

• Expensive• Treats symptoms,

not causes• Temporary

Solutions - Chemical

• Most popular• Quick• Specific plant

elimination• Promotes nutrient

cycling• Accelerates O2

depletion• Treats symptoms• Does not improve

water quality

Solutions – Lake Dye• UV Blocker• Inhibits

Photosynthesis• Aesthetic

appeal

Solutions-Biological

• Weed Eating Fish – Triploid Grass Carp• Create Wetlands to Absorb Nutrients

Before They Can Enter Pond• Littoral Zone Plantings to Absorb

Nutrients Before Entering Pond• Berms – Topological Relief to Prevent

Run-off Nutrients from Entering Pond

Littoral Zone Plantings

Solutions - Biological• Bioaugmentation – Beneficial

Bacteria or Enzymes• Benthic Zone (Pond Bottom)

Weed Mats

Solutions - Aeration• Helps Keep Three Contributing Factors;

Temperature, Nutrients and Oxygen in Balance

• Has No Harmful Side Effects and Naturally Supports the Eco-System

• Attacks the Source of the Problem; Poor Water Quality, thus Impeding Algal and Weed Growth, Bottom Sludge Build-Up, Odors and Insect Infestations

Aeration Tests

• To Prove Positive Effects, Two Simple, Cost Effective Tests Can Be Performed

• Perform a Before and After Test• Test in a True Stress Situation, After

Dark or Before Dawn on a Hot, Cloudy Day at 3’ and 10’ of Depth

• Use an O2 Monitor to Record DO Levels and Temperature to Test Mixing

• Aerators Should Run For 72 Hours, Non-Stop, Before Testing

Aerator Types

• Surface Spray• Bottom Air Diffusion • Mixers and Aspirators

Surface Spray

• Provide DO and Vertical Circulation

• Most Effective in Depths Less Than 12’

• OTR Exceeding 2lbs per HP, per Hour

• Supplemental Aesthetics

Surface Spray Components

• Power Unit• Float Assembly• Control Panel• Power Cable• Total Components

UL Listing for Safety

• Options – Deep Water Intake, Lights

VOLCANO ll

Conical Volcano

STANDARD HIGH VOLUME FLOW(NO NOZZLE)

LAKEWOOD FULL FLOW

SANIBEL

PAR

MORE DECORATIVE LESS AERATING

CROWN & GEYSER NOZZLE

CRYSTAL GEYSER NOZZLE

PRESTWICK

WIDE GEYSER NOZZLE

FIRESTONE

REFLECTION

SURFACE SPRAY ACCESSORIES

• NIGHT LIGHTING

• DEEP WATER INTAKE

• DIGITAL TIMERS

• CUSTOM LARGE DEBRIS SCREENS

• INTERCHANGEABLE NOZZLES

FOUNTAIN AERATOR ANCHORING/ MOORING

FIGURE 1 is most applicable for a smaller pond, or one that is easily accessible from two sides.

In a larger body of water or where vandalism is a concern, FIGURE 2 is the preferred method.

GEMINI AQUARIUS

CELESTIAL FOUNTAINS

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Pisces Libra

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Taurus Leo

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Sizing and Placement

• Rule of Thumb – 2HP per acre (4045sqm)

• For Severe Problems & Fountains – Add HP

• Place Unit or Units for Maximum Zone of Influence

Bottom Air Diffusion• Compressed Air Driven• Synergistic Micro-Bubble Diffuser

Technology• Superior De-Stratification and

Aeration in Deeper Depths (10 to 32feet) (3 to 9.75m)

• Unobtrusive, Natural Surface Water Display

• No Electrical or Moving Parts in Water

Air Diffusion System

• Compressor• Diffusers• Air Tubing

COMPRESSORS

FINE BUBBLE DIFFUSERS

Surface Boil Effect

Air Diffuser Sizing

• General Rule of Thumb – One Diffuser per ½ Acre in Depths of 4 to 11 feet (1.2 to 3.3m). In Depths of 12 to 32 feet (3.6 to 9.75m), One Diffuser per Acre.

• Increase Amount of Diffusers for Ponds with Restricted Circulation and / or Severe Nutrient Load Conditions

Mixers and Aspirators• Create Directional Flow• Surface or Bottom Mounted• Horizontal Mixers Create Strong Flow• Horizontal Aspirators Inject Atmospheric

O2 into Flow• Excellent Cove and Shallow Water Movers

• Vertical Mixers for De-Stratification

HORIZONTAL ASPIRATOR/MIXER

HORIZONTAL MIXER FLOW

VERTICAL MIXER

MIXER / ASPIRATOR SIZING

• General Rule of Thumb – 3HP Per Acre (per 4045sqm) for Horizontal Applications

• 1HP Per 4045sqm for Vertical Applications

ConclusionWhat Causes Most Management

Problems?• High Nutrient Loading• Lack of Circulation Leading to Thermal

Stratification• Excessive Algal & Weed Growth• Sludge Build-up• Organic Digestion (Aerobic & Anaerobic)

Conclusion (cont’d)

• No One Solution / Method is the Complete Answer

• Do the Things that Will Improve Water Quality

• Aeration is the Foundation for a Healthy, Balanced Pond

Aeration Will:

• Increase Dissolved Oxygen Levels

• Improve Circulation• Help Control Nutrient Loading• Decrease Chemical Use by

Allowing Them to Perform More Effectively

Develop A Management Program

• Which is Long Term in Scope• Addresses the True Causes of the

Problem• Balances the Ecosystem• Provides A Water Resource that

Adds to Our Environment Functionally and Aesthetically for Years To Come

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