Hartbeespoort Dam undergoing clean-up transformation thanks to 'highly efficient' technology
Spearheaded by Blue Planet South Africa, the project aims to tackle the invasive hyacinth problem using nanobubble technology.
Hartbeespoort Dam covered in water hyacinths on 31 January 2023. Picture: Abigail Javier/Eyewitness News
John Perlman interviews Rowan McDonald, Head of Nanobubble Technology at Blue Planet South Africa.
Listen below.
Renowned for its overgrown waters, Hartbeespoort Dam is undergoing a transformation thanks to an innovative initiative.
Spearheaded by Blue Planet South Africa, the project aims to tackle the invasive hyacinth problem using 'highly efficient' nanobubble technology.
This revolutionary approach harnesses efficient oxygen transfer, achieved through a generator requiring just 300 watts of power.
The process converts oxygen into ozone, which effectively breaks down organic matter and eliminates odours while eradicating pathogenic bacteria.
Beyond its primary function, this technology boasts a range of unique properties, including the prevention of biofilm and scale buildup, and crucially, the enhancement of healthy microbial communities within aquatic ecosystems.
According to McDonald, this technology represents a significant advancement, addressing root causes rather than merely treating symptoms – a task traditional wastewater treatment plants have struggled with.
"Nanobubbles basically get to work, continuing that process that the waste waster treatment plant should've done."
- Rowan McDonald, Head of Nanobubble Technology – Blue Planet South Africa
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