Fresh Lake Solutions Phytoremediation and Flood Relief Boxes

Extracting excess nutrients from water while yielding valuable biomass through phytoremediation and a unique design leveraging biological processes.

The Problem: Coastal communities throughout the world face food and clean water scarcity as a result of excess nutrients which cause toxic algae blooms forcing the closure of fishing areas and limiting the recreational use of coastal water resources.

The Solution: Our system involves a uniquely designed floating structure and targeted flora; the phytoremediation process removes excess phosphorus, nitrogen, other nutrients (and even heavy metals!) from water, then converts it into biomass and in some cases, food. When several structures are joined together they can create floating safe havens which provide food and shelter in an extreme flood. We aim to make the solution widely accessible thus reducing the amount of excess nutrients in coastal waters and emergency relief in sever storms. 

Our solution combines highly effective (yet not widely used) phytoremediation techniques and a unique, multifunctional platform design. Phytoremediation is a technique used for centuries to remove toxins and excess nutrients in water. Fresh Lake Solutions utilize a unique, convenient platform design and particular plants which extract high levels of nutrients and even heavy metals; they are converted to valuable biomass through the plants natural processes. The platforms, when combined, also serve as floting flood shelters which cleans stormwater.

Fresh Lake Solutions apply the scientific knowledge gained through years of research and analysis of different approaches. The current application utilizes simple yet highly efficient technology; and with additional capital cutting edge technology will be employed to streamline the production process and reduce costs, thus enabling more widespread application.

Over the next twelve months, we aim to quantify the nutrient extraction metrics for several types of plant species and initiate beta phase application throughout south New England. We also endeavor to streamline manufacturing processes. We would like a production-ready mechanical design ready to be used by consumers and municipalities alike. 

We would also like to collaborate with international aid organizations to identify coastal communities in developing countries that could benefit; and adjust the product to align with resource availability.

In the next three to five years, we aim to expand the use of Fresh Lake Boxes and lower costs to make this out-of-the-box phytoremediation technology available throughout the world. The efficacy of the solution compounds, as the more utilization leads to cleaner water resources for everyone. We also aim to solidify designs for Fresh Lake Boxes for disaster relief; using recycled plastic bottles for increased buoyancy and connection points linking floats we can supply disaster relief floating shelters, which provide clean water, food, and shelter in an extreme storm or severe flood. 

The solution may be deployed directly to municipalities, water advocacy groups and public health workers. Public and private access to water bodies utilizing Fresh Lake Boxes may access it directly, while surrounding communities will also reap the benefit of having cleaner surface and ground water available.

There are approximately 40-50 people directly benefitting from the prototypes. Residents and visitors enjoy increasingly clear water; lakes downstream contain fewer nutrients with less HABs (harmful algae blooms) and coastal waters contain fewer nutrients so more fishing beds are open thus furthering coastal economies. The projected population beneficially effected is approximately 300,000 people. 

In the next 12 months we anticipate serving several million people by improving water quality throughout southern New England and along the atlantic coast. This will help the fishing industry, and promote tourism by expanding the beneficial uses of water resources.

Laura brings extensive knowledge of commercial deal structuring and contract negotiation. An attorney with a background in international humanitarian and environmental law, she is a professional problem solver,  passionate about clean water and coastal communities.

Teddy: BOS in Electromechanical Engineering. 10+ years field related experience across several industries including medical and aerospace. Operates engineering consultancy specializing in the design and management of industrial machinery and electromechanical devices. 

Professor Yang teaches water quality engineering, environmental engineering, and bioengineering at UMASS Dartmouth. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience analyzing and remediating water.

The revenue model is initially subscription services to cities and towns to remove excess nutrients in coastal communities in New England. Once we arrange a partnership with 3D print co or other manufacturer we anticipate licensing or selling the boxes in bundles with the price per unit on a sliding scale. The harvested biomass also has significant commercial and retail value. 

After finally identifying a solution to the challenge of excess nutrients, we want to share it widely and hope Solve can help. The shocking efficacy of the solution thus far made us think about broader application. We’ve realized the approach and design can also be applied in developing countries using recycled plastic bottles for additional floatation to provide floating emergency flood shelters. We are eager to expand beneficial use of our solution to coastal communities throughout New England and the world. We know the Solve community can help.

The solution currently lacks resources to scale production and distribution, so we seek partners and mentors with experience in this area. 

The relative simplicity of the solution may lead to skepticism which could inhibit acceptance of the phytoremediation technique in developed countries. In short, a common response is ‘it cannot be that simple’ yet it is. Solve could provide a platform so we may demonstrate the efficacy of the solution. The Solve community could help us navigate municipal water agencies on a local, state, federal, and international level to enable broader utilization.