High-tech algae-buster for boating lake
News article
Man in a canoe
Fylde Council will next week take delivery of an ultrasonic algae-buster for the RNLI boating pool.
Hot, dry weather means that many lakes and ponds across the North West are becoming clogged by algae.
So Fylde Council has ordered an ultrasonic device that emits high-pressure, high frequency sound pulses to destroy the internal cell structure of algae.
Geoff Willetts, Fylde Council’s senior coast and countryside officer, said: “Algae has become a problem in recent weeks. It is unsightly and a problem for boaters.
“I did some research and found that one of these devices was installed at a Fleetwood lake three years ago. There has been no problem with algae ever since.
“The sound waves travel 180 yards so we hope it will be pretty effective for our pond.”
The frequency of the algae-buster means that algae is destroyed while other plant and animal life – the seawater pond is home to many small fish and crabs – is unaffected.
Geoff added: “The algae in the pond is a nuisance, but not of the poisonous blue-green variety.
“If it gets out of hand we would have to close the boating, so this new device will be of benefit to tourism in the area as well as residents.
“It will be of positive benefit to other wildlife in the pond as algae sucks oxygen from the water.”
Regular observation shows that algae is not affecting Fairhaven Lake.
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