Continuous Ultrasound Reduced Lake Turbidity by 80% in Ecuador
One system. Eighty-one days of continuous operation. An 80% reduction in average turbidity.
An Andean lake in Sígsig canton, Azuay province, Ecuador, has faced growing water-quality pressure from land-use changes, expanding agricultural and livestock activity, nutrient-rich runoff, algae, and aquatic vegetation.
In April 2026, I worked closely with one of our distributors in Ecuador as they installed a SonicPure Pulsar 4400 to address algae-related turbidity and declining water clarity. By the end of the 81-day field evaluation, average turbidity had fallen from 7.66 NTU to 1.53 NTU. Median turbidity declined by 87.1%.
81-Day Field Results
- Average turbidity declined from 7.66 NTU to 1.53 NTU
- Median turbidity declined by 87.1%
- One Pulsar 4400 operated continuously for 81 days
- Treatment operated without adding chemicals to the water
- Before-and-after photographs showed a clear improvement in water clarity
A Lake Under Growing Pressure
Located near the communities of Narig and Chobshi, the shallow lake supports biodiversity, water regulation, recreation, tourism, and scenic value.
Over time, changes in the surrounding watershed placed increasing pressure on the water body. Agricultural and livestock activity, surface runoff, nutrient inputs, algae, and aquatic vegetation contributed to eutrophic conditions and declining water clarity.
The problem was not only environmental. Green, cloudy water also affected the lake’s appearance, recreational value, and importance to the surrounding community.
Our Pulsar 4400 was installed to provide continuous ultrasonic treatment throughout the lake.
Turbidity Declined Sharply During Continuous Treatment
Turbidity was measured at four locations during four monitoring campaigns.
Average turbidity declined from 7.66 NTU at installation to 1.53 NTU after 81 days of continuous SonicPure operation, an 80% reduction.
From a technical perspective, the final turbidity result was significant. The measured reduction was substantial, and the visible change in the lake reinforced what we were seeing in the monitoring data.
Before and After: A Visible Change
The before-and-after photographs tell a compelling story.
At installation, the lake appeared green and visibly clouded. After 81 days of continuous operation, the water appeared substantially clearer, with greater visibility below the surface.
Water clarity before installation and after 81 days of continuous SonicPure Pulsar 4400 operation.
The monitoring data and photographs show the same result: a substantial improvement in water clarity during the 81-day evaluation.
Why Turbidity Matters
Turbidity measures suspended material in the water. That material can include microalgae, sediment, organic matter, and other particles that make water appear cloudy or discolored.
In a lake valued for tourism, biodiversity, recreation, and community use, water clarity matters. High turbidity reduces light penetration, diminishes scenic value, and can signal broader water-quality pressure.
Clearer water improves the visible condition of the lake and strengthens its recreational and ecological value. It also gives communities a direct and easy-to-see measure of progress.
Continuous Control Without Adding Chemicals
The SonicPure Pulsar 4400 operates continuously, 24 hours a day, using targeted, non-cavitating ultrasonic frequencies. The system is designed to control susceptible active algae and cyanobacteria while suppressing new bloom development.
Unlike periodic treatment events, continuous ultrasound remains active as water conditions change. Runoff, nutrient availability, temperature, and biological activity do not follow a fixed schedule. Algae can gain momentum quickly when favorable conditions return.
This is one of the advantages I emphasize when working with our distribution partners throughout Latin America: SonicPure remains in the water and continues operating as conditions change.
In this project, our Pulsar 4400 operated continuously for the full 81-day evaluation without chemical dosing. Average turbidity declined by 80%, median turbidity declined by 87.1%, and the improvement in water clarity was unmistakable.
A Strong Field Result
Results like these show why continuous ultrasound deserves serious consideration wherever algae-related turbidity is diminishing water clarity, recreational value, or the appearance of a lake or lagoon.
One system. Eighty-one days of continuous operation. An 80% reduction in average turbidity.
For municipalities, communities, property owners, lake associations, and water-system operators facing algae-related turbidity, repeated chemical applications are not the only option.
SonicPure provides continuous, chemical-free treatment designed to control active algae and cyanobacteria and suppress new growth as water conditions change.
To discuss algae or cyanobacteria challenges in Latin America and explore whether continuous ultrasound is appropriate for your water body, contact me at +56 2 3322 5982 or vivianaa@sonicpure.com.
For inquiries outside Latin America, contact SonicPure at sales@sonicpure.com or +1 (310) 955-4005.
About the Author
Dr. Viviana Almanza is a marine biologist with a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and more than 15 years of experience studying lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other inland aquatic ecosystems. She works closely with SonicPure’s distribution partners throughout Latin America, providing scientific and technical guidance on algae and cyanobacteria control, water-quality assessment, and the application of ultrasonic treatment systems. Her expertise includes cyanobacteria, phytoplankton ecology, limnology, eutrophication, aquatic management, and water quality. She has authored and co-authored scientific publications in these fields.
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