Evaluating the effectiveness of water remediation techniques for nutrient reduction and the control of cyanobacteria blooms in municipal drinking water reservoirs in the SE United States

Abstract

Olson, Ian. Master of Environmental Assessment. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Water Remediation Techniques for Nutrient Reduction and the Control of Cyanobacteria Blooms in Municipal Drinking Water Reservoirs in the SE United States. This project focused on three drinking water reservoirs in the SE United States in order to evaluate if current procedures are effective at reducing nutrient levels to an extent that would inhibit the formation of harmful algal blooms. The three lakes of interest chosen for the study were Falls Lake, NC, Jordan Lake, NC, and Lake Okeechobee, FL. All three lakes currently, and historically, exhibit eutrophic conditions, frequent algal blooms, and are the sites of legislative and corrective actions aimed at nutrient reduction and the reduction of cyanobacteria. While several techniques have been applied, including the use of solar-powered lake mixers, and constructed wetlands, eutrophication and algal blooms events continue to occur at these sites. This study used the parameters of total phosphorus and total nitrogen in conjunction with levels of chlorophyll-a in order to determine the effectiveness of current techniques for the control of cyanobacteria. It was found that current protocols and remediation efforts are not effective at the control of nutrient levels and algal productivity in these lakes.