Ultrasonic waves show promise in battle against harmful algae blooms in Echo Lake

WEST MILFORD — A grant-funded program using ultrasonic waves to combat harmful algal blooms in a Newark-owned reservoir is reportedly showing promise.

Greg Eiffert, the director of LG Sonic US, said the company's ultrasonic buoys that were deployed in Echo Lake this summer reduced the cyanobacteria count by 50% in their first month afloat. Funded by a $475,000 state grant, the solar-powered and remotely monitored buoys can be tuned to produce sound-wave frequencies that will best inhibit algae growth under specific water conditions, he said.

“With a strong track record of reducing 70%-to-90% of algae in large water reservoirs, we are confident we will solve problems in Echo Lake and hopefully soon in other reservoirs across New Jersey,” Eiffert said.

Echo Lake, a 300-acre reservoir with a maximum depth of 32 feet, is among dozens of lakes, ponds and rivers that in recent years have been home to elevated levels of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, state records show. Fed by excess nutrient loading, warm water and sunlight, the algae can bloom to create dense green mats that look like paint sludge and emit large amounts of cyanotoxins, state officials say. Those toxins can kill animals and make humans sick, according to federal Environmental Protection Agency records.

Nearly three dozen of the state’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs were affected in 2019 by confirmed HABs. A similar number currently have HAB advisories or warnings in place, state records show.

The numbers nearly double the confirmed HAB blooms statewide in 2018, when Echo Lake was last hit by a confirmed bloom of cell counts in excess of 20,000 per milliliter, according to the state’s dedicated HAB website. Records describing the grant nonetheless claim that an October 2019 bloom provided impetus for the $475,000 in funding awarded to purchase the buoys. State officials did not immediately respond to a request for a statement on the discrepancy.

West Milford:West Milford students turn annual Spooktacular event into haunted drive-thru

Environment:Wanaque Reservoir operators have 'serious doubts' over EPA's toxic water cleanup plan

Lakes:New Jersey issues warnings for two more toxic algae blooms in Lake Hopatacong

The technology embedded in the buoys produces ultrasonic waves that form a “sound barrier” on the water’s surface that prevent cyanobacteria from photosynthesizing, according to LG. The devices are low-powered to avoid negative impacts on fish or zooplankton, according to the company. They can also be moved easily in a body of water to address localized HABs.

“Improving the health of the state’s waterways and lakes, including those impacted by harmful algal blooms, is vital to protecting public health and enhancing recreational opportunities that are important to local economies,” said Catherine McCabe, the state Department of Environmental Protection commissioner.

Few swim in Echo Lake. The reservoir is used for recreational fishing. However, its primary purpose is as a supplementary reservoir for the city of Newark.

Newark owns roughly 85% of the Pequannock Watershed, which stretches across six municipalities in Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties. The watershed land is owned by the city and preserved by state agreement to feed the Charlotteburg Reservoir, off Route 23, which is piped to supply city residents. Charlotteburg has four supplementary Newark-owned reservoirs: Canistear, Oak Ridge, Clinton and Echo Lake.

The MPC-Buoy system can be deployed at any one or across several of those reservoirs under the grant program. The buoys monitor water quality in real time, according to a company statement. Properly tuned, they can prevent algae from absorbing up to 90% effectiveness, the statement said. Similar LG-made buoys are in use elsewhere in New Jersey and in 95 other countries, it said.

The impact of HABs in 2019 triggered New Jersey officials to launch the $13.5 million grant program that funded the buoys and an interactive online map that helps residents report possible HABs and monitor their status.

In 2019, 25 public bathing beaches on freshwater lakes in New Jersey were closed due to the nearby presence of cyanobacteria. 

Opponents of the beach closures have argued that common sense generally keeps people from swimming in water that resembles pea soup. They cite a lack of local reports of sickness caused by HABs and allege that the state's warnings have stifled a lake-dependent seasonal economy.

David Zimmer is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.