Restoration of fresh water bodies

Drinking water resources is invaluable for communities. Fresh water bodies are being impacted by eutrophication and climate change; both in quality and quantity. This a proven natural solution in order to mitigate this impact while making drinking water more safe and reducing treatment costs by municipalities or private companies.

The combination of eutrophication and climate change is a worldwide challenge and a very tough thread specially for fresh water bodies used for potable water. Eutrophic lakes are stratified, invaded by blue green algae and anoxic.

Stratification leads to severe deterioration of the water quality as you moves to the bottom of the lake. Low levels of oxygen promotes the migration of metals (Mn,Fe), toxic gases (sulfur, ammonia) into the water column and the increase in temperature by climate change increase the dissolved organic mater that migrates into the water column as well. This can reduce the amount of water usable for drinking. In our first project the dam reservoir was reduced to only 35% of its storage capacity due to water quality deterioration.

Mn, Fe and toxic gases increase the chlorine demand which combined with dissolved organic matter produces disinfection by products, well known carcinogenic compounds under strict regulation by EPA.

The destratification, oxygenation system uses ceramic air diffusers located in the bottom of the water body, mimics natural inversion and reduces the stratification and migration of  metals, gases and dissolved organic matter into the water column.

Target population of close to 25,000 people are located on the south west of the island of Puerto Rico. They are really no aware of the low quality water they are receiving.

The government who owns and operates the whole drinking water infrastructure have not assigned a high priority to this problem.

According to EPA 80ppb is he maximum contaminant level (MCL)

By providing a more consistent water quality with less Mn, Fe and dissolved organic matter will help to reduce the formation of disinfection by products.

Currently the drinking water system of our island provides close to 500 million gallons per day (MGD)  to 1.3 million people. Close to 65% of the water comes from fresh water lakes that are impacted by eutrophication and climate change.

We have already implemented a restoration project at the Toa Vaca lake (3.0 MGD) with outstanding results. By improving the water quality on the remaining lakes we will be able to positively impact 1.3 million people in our country.

We already have an installation with outstanding results in one of six fresh water lakes used as raw water source for drinking water plants. Lakes provides close to 60% of the water in my country.

The government owns and operates close to 120 drinking water plants and currently believe that the potabilization process starts at the plant itself. The innovation that brings my solution is to demonstrate that the process of making the water potable must start by ensuring that the raw water coming from lakes is at he best quality level possible and in order to achieve that you need to reduce stratification, low dissolved oxygen and the impact of climate change

Current number: 25,000 people

if locally fully implemented ; 1.3 million people

if fully implemented in Latin America : estimated 20.0 million people

It is very important that the successful job executed in Toa Vaca and my overall solution be accepted and recognized by MIT, this will help to convince  the government to move forward and implement my solution into the remaining six lakes.

Full time staff:  1

part time :        3

contractor:       1

other workers:   3

Our team is comprised of top level engineers, scientists and project managers with relevant background and experience.

Our team is comprised of top level engineers, scientists and project managers with relevant background and experience.

We strongly believe that by receiving Solve recognition and support  will help to convince the government to move forward and implement my solution to the remaining six lakes and positively impact 1.3 million people in my country.

We strongly believe that by receiving Solve recognition and support  will help to convince the government to move forward and implement my solution to the remaining six lakes and positively impact 1.3 million people in my country.

We strongly believe that by receiving Solve recognition and support  will help to convince the government to move forward and implement my solution to the remaining six lakes and positively impact 1.3 million people in my country.