Everglades Agricultural Area (STA-1W) Project Summary

Ocala, Florida (January 30, 2010)

The Algal Turf Scrubber® (ATS™) has been identified as a technology that could provide the SFWMD an additional tool for the cost effective removal and recovery of phosphorus within the Everglades ecosystem. The intent of the STA-1W ATS™ pilot study was to determine site specific ATS™ treatment performance based on water quality conditions of effluent from Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) 1W or STA-1W. The STA-1W ATS™ Pilot was operated for a period of 12 consecutive months. This Final Report covers the time period from the week beginning August 13, 2008 through the week ending August 13, 2009.  Included in this Final Report is a summary and review of operational, water quality and vegetation data.

Total phosphorus reduction for the 12-month project including the system start-up period was 33.3%. Total phosphorus areal removal rate for the Algal Turf Scrubber® during the study period including system start-up was 3.1 g/m²/yr. Total phosphorus reduction for the Algal Turf Scrubber® with 10-micron solids recovery was 49.9%.

A two-stage treatment approach employing ATS™ followed by a 10-micorn screen was tested from November 19, 2008 for the duration of the pilot.

The mean effluent total phosphorus concentration was 15 ug/L from an influent concentration of 31 ug/L. Total phosphorus reduction for the Algal Turf Scrubber® with 10-micron solids recovery was 49.9%.

The Algal Turf Scrubber® with 10-micron solids recovery achieved an outflow total phosphorus concentration of 10 ug/L or less in 7.9% of the weekly samples and an outflow total phosphorus concentration of 11 ug/L or less in 26.3% of the weekly samples.

About HydroMentia, Inc.

HydroMentia, Inc. designs, builds and operates innovative, cost-effective, managed aquatic plant treatment systems for pollution control and water restoration in agricultural, industrial and urban applications. The Algal Turf Scrubber® is a proprietary technology available exclusively through HydroMentia, Inc. HydroMentia owns numerous patents and intellectual property. Its head office is in Ocala, Florida. For more information about HydroMentia, Inc., go to www.hydromentia.com.