Water Treatment

Introducing a pioneering nature-based solution of floating islands for lakes and reservoirs

Crafting nature-inspired solutions that bring a wealth of benefits to our lakes and reservoirs. By harnessing the creativity of the natural world, we can enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and create thriving ecosystems that support both wildlife and communities.

Numerous lakes and reservoirs face a range of challenging issues that impact their vitality and ecological balance

Our innovative nature-based solutions have been meticulously designed to tackle these problems in a manner that prioritises biological safety and environmental integrity.

Pollution and excess nutrients

Excessive algae and aquatic weed growth

Limited of shoreline habitat /vegetation

Limited habitats cover for fish/lack of safe nesting areas for waterfowl

Negative impact from hard edges or highly variable water levels in reservoirs

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Nature Based Solutions

Floating islands are helping transform adversely affected reservoirs, enhancing biodiversity and revitalising water quality for a brighter ecological future.

Floating Islands can be arranged in different ways to provide multiple benefits in lakes and reservoirs. Plants and biofilms on these islands help reduce pollution by supporting beneficial bacteria and absorbing phosphorous, which they bind to plant material. Non-aerated systems can lower nitrogen levels in the water by 75-200 grams per square meter per year and phosphorous by 2-6 grams per square meter per year.

This removal can increase significantly with solar aeration or active phosphorous binding materials. By using attractive native plants, these systems absorb and remove nutrients, making less available for algae and aquatic weeds. Managing pollution with Floating Ecosystems can help meet TMDL (Total Daily Mass Load) limits and serve as a useful, low-maintenance part of sustainable lake and reservoir management plans.

Changes in water levels and hard edges in reservoirs often result in the loss of natural shoreline plants.

The absence of natural vegetation often results in diminished habitat quality and water management, which can lead to increased algae growth and a decline in the ecological health of bird and fish habitats. Floating Islands offer a solution by creating a vibrant ecosystem that remains at the optimal level for supporting habitat and wetland treatment processes.

Advanced designs of Floating Islands can further enhance their effectiveness by incorporating floating solar systems for improved aeration and circulation, as well as active phosphorous binding materials that substantially increase treatment efficiency. Additionally, Floating Islands serve as important habitat “stepping stones,” facilitating connections within ecological corridors and providing safe havens for wildlife from shoreline predators such as cats and dogs.

Our Nature Based Solutions have effectively enhanced the health and quality of lakes and reservoirs

Witches Oak

Assessing the health and performance of the Floating Ecosystems implemented in partnership with Severn Trent Water

Killingsworth Lake

Installing a series of three Floating Ecosystems at Killingworth Lake outside of Newcastle

Amsterdam Zeeburger

Installation of five Floating Ecosystems

Green Lake

Launching two Floating Ecosystems on the Seattle Taiga Wetlands

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Nature Based Solutions