[B]URLINGTON — Following a summer that saw many beach closures resulting from algae blooms in Lake Champlain, the city is allowing a private company to pilot its technology for algae mitigation at North Beach and Perkins Pier.
Westford-based EcoSolutions LLC is using two technologies to try and reduce algae blooms. The first is a biological process that “out competes” algae in freshwater, and the second removes phosphorus and nitrogen, chemicals that allow algae to bloom, according to a news release from the city.
The new technologies, installed last month, are being deployed at the north end of the public section of North Beach using a 200 foot line of interconnected buoys. At Perkins Pier, the technologies are being deployed from a “floating wetland” directly in front of the boat house.
The floating portion of the pilot technology will serve as an educational feature, allowing the public to view the technologies and the results.
If they prove effective the city may continue and expand its use of EcoSolutions technology, officials said. The installation at North Beach is expected to remain in the water until the end of September, while the Perkins Pier installation is expected to remain until mid-October, according to the city.
Currently, EcoSolutions is being paid by Main Street Project Services, another private company owned by John Hoehl, son of IDX Systems Corp. co-founder Robert Hoehl.
Hoehl put $20,000 toward the pilot through Main Street Project Services, according to Erin Desautels with Vermont Small Business Accelerators, a South Burlington consulting firm involved in the pilot.
Jesse Bridges, director of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, said the city will see how effective EcoSolutions technology is before deciding whether to continue its use after the pilot.
“At the end of a summer in which we faced unprecedented algae blooms, we are excited about the potential of this new technology to expand the public’s safety and enjoyment of the lake, and to complement our other lake protection strategies,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger in prepared statement.
“While we clearly have a very long way to go as a City and State on this critical issue, this pilot continues Burlington’s long record of stormwater leadership and innovation. We are thankful to Main Street Project Services for funding this pilot and EcoSolutions for its partnership in this effort,” Weinberger added.
