Improvement in surface water quality using geotextiles

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There exist few technologies worldwide for the treatment of large areas of polluted salt and fresh water. The approach under development in partnership with Titan Environmental Containment is for the treatment of surface water for the removal of nutrients such as phosphorus, cyanobacteria, algae and other components that cause undesirable characteristics such as colour or odor. The long-term objective is thus to develop as system for the restoration, management and control of water quality in situ. The short-term objectives are:**- To determine the parameters that influence the nutrient removal efficiency**- To determine the mechanisms of treatment**- To determine the factor for scale-up**- To investigate the relationship between sediment and water quality.**The project is scheduled for two years. The first years will involve sampling of water and sediment quality at two different lakes (Lac Caron and Lac Johanne) in the Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs region, of the Laurentians, Quebec. Geotextiles will be used as the filter materials based on laboratory and on-site testing. The testing at Lac Caron ( a lake with the lowest quality in the region where swimming is banned) will begin once the levels of phosphorus increase to above acceptable levels. A small unit will be placed in a isolated section in the lake to evaluate its ability to removed suspended solids, phosphorus, chlorophyll, bacteria and other parameters in the first and second years over various seasons. Water treatment efficiency and parameters for scale-up will be determined. At Lac Johanne, some preliminary tests will be done in the first year to determine the filter`s ability to remove organic matter that caused a brown colour. The second year will involve more extensive in situ testing. The sediment quality will also be monitored during the in situ tests as it will have an influence on the water quality. The protection and improvement of the water quality by nutrient reduction will improve the aesthetics of the water, health of the community and allow the water to be used for recreational purposes and increase property values. ****