Lagoon Floating Cover: Reduce Total Suspended Solid & Odor

A clean water supply, especially so with regard to sewage, is the single most important determinant of public health. Destruction of water supply and/or sewage disposal infrastructure after major catastrophes (earthquakes, floods, war, etc.) poses the immediate threat of severe epidemics of waterborne diseases, several of which can be life-threatening. Maintaining and protecting those clean fresh water supplies is a priority that unites people and organizations across the world. Every institutions in responsible for clean water supplies faces the challenge of containing, treating and providing water resources for a range of personal and industrial uses.

The purpose of all water treatment process’s is to remove or reduce contaminant from untreated water to produce water more acceptable for a desired end-use. These can include use for drinking water, industry, medical and many other uses. The goal of all water treatment process is to remove existing contaminants in the water, or reduce the concentration of such contaminants so the water becomes fit for its desired end-use. One such use is returning water that has been used back into the natural environment without adverse ecological impact.

Floating covers are used extensively in waste water treatment facility designs for reducing contaminant, in particular Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and odor emission. Blocking the sunlight will prevent algae growth and help reduce TSS. The odors produced by wastewater tanks and lagoons can be especially offensive to people living nearby. Odor control by chemicals and other approaches can be costly and isn’t always effective.

A lagoon floating cover will reduce the sewage exposure to the outside air and provide reliable control of odors. Permeable covers, such as the the Hexprotect covers, have been shown to be more suitable for reducing odor and eliminating algae.

The main challenge most operators faces is to find an economical solution, both with initial and operating costs, and to minimize maintenance. Covers that have regular or even moderate labor requirements, such as solid covers, are at a definite disadvantage when compared to our modular covers that require no maintenance at all.

Air-filled balls, such as the Armor Ball®, have also been used as a floating cover for outdoor manure storage facilities. One study reported about 15% ammonia losses from cattle slurry, and between 5% and 12% from pig slurry as compared to 100% losses from uncovered control tanks.