Town of Essex Wastewater
Location: Essex, Ontario
Lagoon Area: 10 acres
Installed: 2021
Town of Essex Wastewater
Location: Essex, Ontario
Lagoon Area: 10 acres
Installed: 2021
Overview
The Town of Essex, Ontario, faced severe algae blooms and poor water quality in its wastewater lagoon system, threatening compliance with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) effluent standards. In spring 2021, the town partnered with SonicPure to test ultrasound treatment in Cell 4 before seasonal discharge into the Puce Drain. Within just 33 days, the technology achieved dramatic reductions in cyanobacteria and improved overall water clarity—proving ultrasound as an efficient, sustainable, and regulatory-compliant solution for municipal lagoon systems
During the 2021 spring freshet, Cell 4 of the Essex wastewater lagoon exhibited extremely poor water quality and dense cyanobacterial growth. Traditional aeration and chemical treatments were ineffective, and officials feared another major bloom would violate effluent standards under the facility’s Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA). The MECP extended the discharge window to May 15, 2021, allowing the town to trial an ultrasonic algae control unit. The challenge was clear: restore lagoon water quality fast—without chemicals—before releasing effluent into the Puce Drain and downstream ecosystems
Results & Solution (Expanded)
Installed on March 31, 2021, the SonicSolutions ultrasonic system immediately began targeting cyanobacteria at the cellular level using precisely tuned ultrasonic frequencies. In just over a month of operation, cyanobacterial counts fell by more than fivefold, dropping from 14.1 million cells/mL to 3.16 million by May 3, 2021—a 78% reduction.
The ultrasound technology not only reduced total cyanobacterial biomass but also stabilized Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and improved pH balance across the lagoon. Visual inspection confirmed a noticeable reduction in surface algae, and sampling by the MECP showed no visible algal mats or cyanoblooms at discharge.
Crucially, the MECP verified through microcystin toxin testing (ELISA method) that ultrasonic treatment did not cause algal cell lysing or toxin release. Across 11 total samples, microcystin concentrations remained below the detection limit (0.10–0.20 µg/L), both within the lagoon and downstream in the Puce River. The absence of toxin release and the lack of regrowth downstream demonstrated that ultrasound was not only effective but also ecologically safe.
These strong results prompted the MECP to endorse continued ultrasound use under Limited Operational Flexibility (LOF)—a permanent integration that required no additional ECA amendment.
Summary (Expanded)
The Town of Essex’s successful adoption of ultrasound for lagoon management highlights how SonicPure’s technology can transform municipal wastewater operations. The trial proved that ultrasonic treatment can:
- Eliminate cyanobacterial blooms and improve effluent quality
- Prevent microcystin toxin release and downstream contamination
- Lower TSS and pH naturally, improving system stability
- Operate continuously with minimal maintenance and zero chemical use
Following the success in Essex, the MECP formally supported the technology’s long-term deployment—confirming that ultrasound offers a cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally sustainable solution for wastewater facilities across Ontario and beyond.
By using sound instead of chemicals, Essex demonstrated that compliance, performance, and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand—setting a model for future lagoon systems seeking to modernize their algae control practices with SonicPure’s Pulsar technology.
Results & Solution (Expanded)
Installed on March 31, 2021, the SonicSolutions ultrasonic system immediately began targeting cyanobacteria at the cellular level using precisely tuned ultrasonic frequencies. In just over a month of operation, cyanobacterial counts fell by more than fivefold, dropping from 14.1 million cells/mL to 3.16 million by May 3, 2021—a 78% reduction.
The ultrasound technology not only reduced total cyanobacterial biomass but also stabilized Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and improved pH balance across the lagoon. Visual inspection confirmed a noticeable reduction in surface algae, and sampling by the MECP showed no visible algal mats or cyanoblooms at discharge.
Crucially, the MECP verified through microcystin toxin testing (ELISA method) that ultrasonic treatment did not cause algal cell lysing or toxin release. Across 11 total samples, microcystin concentrations remained below the detection limit (0.10–0.20 µg/L), both within the lagoon and downstream in the Puce River. The absence of toxin release and the lack of regrowth downstream demonstrated that ultrasound was not only effective but also ecologically safe.
These strong results prompted the MECP to endorse continued ultrasound use under Limited Operational Flexibility (LOF)—a permanent integration that required no additional ECA amendment.
Summary (Expanded)
The Town of Essex’s successful adoption of ultrasound for lagoon management highlights how SonicPure’s technology can transform municipal wastewater operations. The trial proved that ultrasonic treatment can:
- Eliminate cyanobacterial blooms and improve effluent quality
- Prevent microcystin toxin release and downstream contamination
- Lower TSS and pH naturally, improving system stability
- Operate continuously with minimal maintenance and zero chemical use
Following the success in Essex, the MECP formally supported the technology’s long-term deployment—confirming that ultrasound offers a cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally sustainable solution for wastewater facilities across Ontario and beyond.
By using sound instead of chemicals, Essex demonstrated that compliance, performance, and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand—setting a model for future lagoon systems seeking to modernize their algae control practices with SonicPure’s Pulsar technology.
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