UKWIR has published a report on removal of algae during water treatment. While many of the methods described are physico-chemical, e.g. covering or filtration, it includes operating strategies and also floating wetland systems, where macrophytes are assisted by root biofilm formation
Title: Efficient Algae Removal during the water treatment process
Reference: 25/DW/07/11
Abstract: Algae has a significant detrimental impact upon water treatment operations and poses a risk of taste and odour and cyanotoxins. Climate change is having an impact on algae and milder winters are leading to longer algae seasons. This project aims to answer the question of how the problems of algae and extra-cellular algal by-products can best be addressed with technological and management approaches.
In this project, literature reviews, surveys and interviews with suppliers and water companies across the UK and Ireland were carried out. The project evaluated the approaches considering effectiveness, the evidence base, and cost and carbon factors. Whilst there is no single silver bullet for this complex issue, a combination of mitigation measures tailored to location generally works best. There is a need for more published evidence on the performance of technologies and it is incumbent on the key players in the industry to collaborate to facilitate this.
The report is available from UKWIR via their Publications page